Obama Says He'd Ban All Toys With More Than a Trace of Lead

[sniffa]

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, involved in a dispute with China over the safety of its exports, said today he would ban all toys ``with more than a trace amount of lead.''

The Illinois senator was quoted by Reuters on Dec. 19 saying he would ``stop the import of all toys from China,'' citing concerns about lead content. China's Foreign Ministry called such a blanket ban ``unobjective, unreasonable and unfair,'' according to ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

Obama said in a statement issued today by his campaign that he would double funding for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, expand its regulatory powers and increase fines for companies that fail to disclose known safety hazards. More than 80 percent of toys in the U.S. come from China, Obama said.

``As president, I'll work with China to keep harmful toys off our shelves,'' Obama said in the statement. ``But I'll also immediately take steps to ensure that all toys are independently tested before they reach our stores, and I'll significantly increase penalties on companies that break the rules.''

Last Updated: December 23, 2007 17:59 EST

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aXETESY23TNo&refer=us

[ruggerson]

1. I guess he changed his mind after China chastised him

n/t

[TwilightZone]

8. More likely, he just realized that banning all toys was unnecessary.

Better testing and quality control will hopefully help.

[JackORoses]

22. or he clarified his meaning to avoid misinterpretations, the hallmark of an intelligent person

[TwilightZone]

2. He later clarified his position.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2521607

[K Gardner]

3. Thanks for posting this. The anti-Obama crew is out in full force and

posting the same misleading garbage next door. :-)

[rodeodance]

11. Clinton got severly dissed for changing her mind about drivers lices. fair is fair

[tammywammy]

4. I hope that all the candidates can get on board with something like this

[Catchawave]

5. Another Edwards position Obama is echoing....?

BO is really starting to annoy me. While I do admire his position, he never seems to lead with ANY of them. Sigh.

From 11/29/07

http://johnedwards.com/news/press-releases/20071129-dangerous-imports/

[tammywammy]

6. Acutally, Obama's been working since 2005 to make lead

banned in toys.

" Starting in 2005, Obama has worked on legislation in Congress that would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify any children's product containing lead as a banned substance under the Hazardous Substances Act. His effort has yet to become law.
There is no single U.S. standard for lead content in toys, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission primarily works by recalling toys after they have been found to be unsafe, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Obama has complained in the Senate that the agency has dragged its feet on protecting children from lead.

In his remarks to the Iowa audience, Obama said as president he would require independent testing of toys before they reach U.S. stores. In addition, he said he would boost penalties on companies that break the rules."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/feedarticle?id=7174983

[Catchawave]

12. Since 2005 ?

And he makes a Presidential statement now? UK source?

[tammywammy]

14. Here's the same thing from Yahoo

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071223/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_toys_dc

And here's the link to his press release from 2005
http://obama.senate.gov/press/051201-obama_asks_cong/

Obama Asks Congress to Deliver Law Banning Dangerous Lead in Toys in Time for the Holiday Season
December 1, 2005

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today called on Congress to pass legislation that would ban the sale of children's toys containing lead in time for the holiday season.

"As a parent of two young children, it's frightening to think that a toy or a lunchbox I purchase for one of my daughters could unknowingly expose her to toxic lead," said Obama. "But as recently as 2003, millions of pieces of toy jewelry had to be recalled from store shelves because they contained dangerously high levels of lead, and one popular lunchbox was found to contain more than 90 times more lead than the legal limit."

According to a study by the Center for the Environmental Health, about 10-20% of tested lunch boxes have unsafe levels of lead. The popular "Angela Anaconda" lunch box was found to have 56,400 parts per million of lead, which is more than 90 times the legal limit for lead in paint in children's products. Another study found that 60 percent of more than 400 pieces of costume jewelry purchased at major department stores contain dangerous amounts of lead. And from September 2003 through July 2004, there were 3 recalls of nearly 150 million pieces of toy jewelry because of toxic levels of lead.

"Thousands of children each year needlessly suffer from lead poisoning, which can lead to learning difficulties as well as serious health problems," said Obama. "Parents should never have to worry that a gift for their children will make them sick. That is why I hope Congress will address this problem before the holiday season by banning these unsafe products."

[Catchawave]

24. 2005 ? 2005?

He shouldn't have been "asking Congress" he should have been swinging a baseball bat !

"I hope Congress will address this problem.." :shrug:

Grow a pair Obama.

[tammywammy]

27. He introduced a bill

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-2048

It just didn't get anywhere.

[NYCGirl]

9. Well, actually, Obama wrote legislation to the effect in 2005:

Starting in 2005, Obama has worked on legislation in Congress that would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to classify any children's product containing lead as a banned substance under the Hazardous Substances Act. His effort has yet to become law.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/feedarticle?id=7174983

[Catchawave]

13. ..another uk source ?

...and he thought of it now?

[TwilightZone]

16. Look at the byline - it's a Reuters story, not a Guardian original.

[Catchawave]

19. But....

from the article:

WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Sunday stepped back from a pledge to halt U.S. imports of Chinese-made toys because of safety concerns.
Instead, the Illinois senator, who is in a tight race with Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York to win the Democratic presidential nomination, reiterated his longstanding call for barring toys with more than a trace amount of lead.
"Now, don't get me wrong: As president, I'll work with China to keep harmful toys off our shelves," he said in Greenfield, Iowa, according to a statement from his campaign for the November 2008 election, .

:shrug:

[TwilightZone]

10. Perhaps the opposite is true.

Obama has been discussing this issue for some time now. Does that mean that Edwards copied Obama?

Doesn't matter, actually, as long as the idea is followed through upon.

[Catchawave]

15. It's still a great idea !

Two years too late.....Obama is still in the Senate, I can't give him the Lead on this.

We all want safer toys. If you read my link, you'll see Edwards is way beyond "discussing" :hi:

[Mass]

28. Way beyond discussing? Since that he has decided not to fight for people from NC in the Senate,

what can he do except discuss?

I would not want to blame him for this, but it is funny to see one of his supporters blame somebody who has actually started to do something about this in the Senate. Now, if Edwards was still in the Senate, he could actually help people like Dorgan, Obama, ... to do something about it rather than discussing it, and it would be somewhat useful.

[aquart]

7. Cool!

Did he say how he's going to ensure that the "independent testing" is trustworthy?

[hayu_lol]

17. I would suggest that no small trace of lead is permissable...

for toys used by the youngest of our children--those who routinely attempt to eat everything that they handle...infants to 3 years of age.

There may be acceptable levels for older groups, but as yet, there are no national standards. If there are no acceptable standards then we need to get some. If people want to do business here, they MUST comply with our laws and protections.

[madrchsod]

18. anything with a "trace of lead" is banned in illinois and california

these two states have standards far below the federal limits. the chicago tribune ran a story about their independent investigation into toys in the surrounding stores in the chicagoland area. some companies were not happy because they passed the federal standards but were not allowed to sell these toys in illinois.

[Bobbieo]

21. Certain Mexican candies flavored with chilies are banned in AZ and CA.

because of the lead content which comes from processing the chile.

[madrchsod]

26. i`ve tried a lot of mexican candies....

no thanks!

[ClarkUSA]

20. Good for Obama for taking the lead on this since 2005 (no pun intended)

Sorry, couldn't resist. ;-)

Nice story, sniffa... thanks.

[Kucinich4America]

23. Obama is a father with 2 young children.

I'm certainly not going to question his stand on this one.

[madrchsod]

25. Fisher-Price pulls second lead-tainted blood-pressure cuff off shelves in Illinois:

note-this was issued last tuesday..

"The reason: Illinois bans the sale of toys, clothing, jewelry or other children's products that contain lead in excess of 600 parts per million. It is one of the strongest lead laws in the country and more stringent than federal regulations, which place limits on only paint and surface coatings. ----->There are no federal limits on lead in plastics such as PVC."<--------

"On Friday, Illinois State Attorney General Lisa Madigan warned that the same potential lead poisoning hazard exists with the green blood pressure cuff, which is found in the Sesame Street Giggle toy medical kit. (The red cuff is part of the classic Fisher-Price Medical Kit.) As in the previous announcement, ------>Fisher Price will pull the product only from store shelves in Illinois—even though the toy kits are sold nationwide.<---------- And as before, the company is offering a replacement part for families who already own the toy; consumers can call 1-800-298-0638."

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2007/12/fisher-price--1.html
Fisher-Price pulls second lead-tainted blood-pressure cuff off shelves in Illinois: Consumer Reports on Safety


Minnesota also has laws tougher than the federal limit.

[FlyingSquirrel]

29. Yay for TOYS!

Woo woo!

:headbang: