CPSC Acted in Best Interest of Nation's Children
STATEMENT OF Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director, MomsRising
CONTACT: Gretchen Wright or Molly Tomlinson, 202/371-1999
October 19, 2011
CPSC Acted in Best Interest of Nation’s Children
“The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today took an important step to protect our nation’s children, by voting to require independent third-party testing for several dangerous chemicals, including lead and phthalates, in children's products before they reach stores.
Lead, phthalates and other toxins do not belong in toys and products that we assume to be safe for our families. No level of toxins is safe for children – even low levels of many chemicals have been found to be dangerous. Many toxic chemicals have been found to harm children's mental development, impair reproduction and development, alter liver and kidney function, affect blood clotting, and more. It’s shocking and unacceptable that products that could cause them harm ever make it to store shelves.
Today, moms, dads, grandparents and everyone else who care for or cares about kids can breathe a little easier. This new rule will help ensure that children aren't unnecessarily exposed to toxins like lead and phthalates through their toys and other products. Stopping toxic products containing lead and phthalates from ever making it to the store also means fewer product recalls, making this a win-win for businesses and families alike.
This is a major step in updating our nation’s chemical policies. We’re delighted that the CPSC has heard the concerns of parents, and has acted in the best interest of our children.”
# # # #
MomsRising.org is an online and on-the-ground grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to achieve economic security for all families in the United States. MomsRising is working for paid family leave, flexible work options, affordable child care, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes so many mothers. MomsRising also advocates for health care for all, toxic-free environments, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. Established in 2006 and now celebrating its fifth anniversary, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families. In 2011, for the second year in a row, Forbes.com named MomsRising's web site as one of the Top 100 Websites For Women.
