NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Subcommittee Chairman Rush Co-Sponsors “Lead Free Toys Act”

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, joined other lawmakers today in the introduction of a bill that will reduce the amount of lead permitted in children’s products. The “Lead Free Toys Act”, sponsored by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), and co-sponsored by Reps. Rush, Christopher Carney (D-PA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), would mandate a permitted federal lead content in children’s products starting at 600 parts per million (ppm) and decreasing over time to a level of 100 ppm two years after the adoption of the law.

“This is an important first step in insuring the safety of children’s products. We know that lead is a harmful neuron toxin and this bill will protect our children, including those in low-income communities, from the chronic and acute effects of lead poisoning.” said Rush. “Following recent hearings on this issue in our subcommittee, I believe that a full ban on lead in children’s toys and jewelry is the only way to prevent this poison from harming children and families.”

The Committee is conducting an investigation into the recent widespread findings of lead in children’s products imported from China. In August 2007, the Committee sent letters to 19 retailers and importers requesting information on their findings of lead. On September 19 and 20, the Committee held a hearing on lead in children’s products and the resulting recalls. During the hearing, Chairman Dingell, Ranking Member Barton, Chairman Rush, and Ranking Member Stearns expressed their intent to work together in the coming weeks on bipartisan comprehensive legislation to make further improvements to ensure the safety of children’s products, including toys, and to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

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