Women from USW hold parties to raise awareness about toys, other imports

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Leeann Anderson held a home demonstration party for the modern age yesterday. Instead of selling Tupperware or cosmetics, the Mt. Lebanon mother passed out lead-testing kits and showed her guests how to check toys for the toxic substance.

She pulled out a test swab, cracked it on both ends and shook the contents so they mixed together. Then she rubbed the tip for 30 seconds on the head of one of her daughter's dolls. The tip of the swab turned pink, indicating the presence of lead.

Ms. Anderson is assistant to Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America. Her "Get the Lead Out" party was one of the first in a planned nationwide blitz by USW women, prompted by the continuous stream of imported products being recalled due to lead paint and other contaminants. The list includes toys, jewelry, lipstick, toothpaste, seafood, children's lunch boxes and pet food.

Most of the 10 women present were mothers and grandmothers associated with the union; they said they were taking matters into their own hands because of the U.S. government's failure to ensure the safety of imported products.

The campaign is providing free LeadCheck testing kits (made in the United States) to the public, while supplies last, at www.protect-our-kids.org or www.stoptoxicimports.org.



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07292/826686-114.stm