Rep. seeks ban on lead toys

NEWPORT — Saying that state officials need to do more to protect Rhode Island's children from high levels of lead, Rep. Amy Rice (D-Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth) has submitted two pieces of legislation that would ban certain chemicals that have been linked to childhood lead poisoning.

The bills stem from concern over the importation of tainted toys last summer. In all, more than 12 million toys were recalled in the United States last year over concerns about high levels of lead and other chemicals. The news touched off a firestorm of media coverage and parental concern, but Congress has yet to address the issue.

Rep. Rice is seeking to change that.

"Despite the widespread media uproar, Congress has yet to pass any legislation to force retailers to keep tainted toys off their shelves," she said.

The two bills, which were introduced within six weeks of one another at the beginning of the current legislative session, target chemicals used in the manufacturing process and would allow for the development of a multi-state information clearinghouse.

The bill H-7098 would require that the state Department of Health not only identify chemicals of high concern, but also disclose that information to the public and require that safer alternatives be used. The other measure, H–7813, bans the use of certain phthalates and bisphenol-A. These chemicals have already been banned in the European Union, Mexico, Japan and Argentina.

Phthalates are chemicals that are commonly used in manufacturing in order to increase the flexibility of certain types of plastic. Bisphenol-A is used as an antioxidant in plasticizes and as a key monomer in products such as plastic bottles, DVD cases, eyeglass lenses and epoxy resins.

Excess levels of the chemicals have been linked to retarded hormonal growth and deformity of sexual organs.

"With such an alarming threat to public safety on our hands, and no action being taken by our national leaders to address the problem, the urgency of addressing the issue at a state level has become all the more apparent," said Rep. Rice.

Other states have also passed or are considering similar legislation including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California, Washington, Arkansas and Pennsylvania.

"There's got to come a time when we say enough is enough," Rep. Rice said.

According to Rep. Rice, "Without action, the U.S. will quickly become the dumping ground for toys that are too toxic to be allowed into other countries."

The bills, which were introduced earlier this year, were referred to the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, where they are being held for further study.

By Tom Shevlin

news@newportthisweek.net

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