Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Today's Recall of Toys

[The Straight Story]

August 14, 2007

Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Today's Recall of Toys

Washington, DC – “I am dismayed to learn of yet another recall of toys containing lead-based paint – the second in this month alone. These recalls are evidence of lapses in our system of safeguards that have allowed millions of children to be exposed to these hazards, and jeopardize the gains we have made in reducing lead poisoning in the United States. Earlier this month, I asked the President to appoint a qualified, unbiased individual to act as the Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a post that has been vacant for more than a year. In order to protect our children, we need to have a strong and active CPSC, not an agency that is understaffed and without permanent leadership. I also believe that we need to take greater action to protect our children, and tighten lead safety standards to ensure that our children will not be exposed to this hazardous substance in their toys. Today’s recall should be a wake-up call to all of us, and I urge the President to take immediate action to ensure the safety of our consumer goods and bring peace of mind to parents around the country.”

The following is the text of Senator Clinton’s recent letter to the President:



August 2, 2007

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

I am writing to express my concern over several recent cases of unsafe levels of lead detected in children’s toys. These discoveries have resulted in the recall of approximately three million toys worldwide, and have caused great uncertainty and anxiety among American parents. While the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has worked with the companies involved to announce recalls of these toys, I believe the CPSC needs to be strengthened to adequately protect American children from lead paint hazards.

Lead poisoning is a serious, persistent, and entirely preventable threat to a child’s health. Childhood lead poisoning has been linked to impaired growth and function of vital organs and problems with intellectual and behavioral development. At very high levels, lead poisoning can cause seizures, comas, and even death – robbing a child of his or her future. Furthermore, a recent well-publicized study has linked lead hazard exposure in childhood to violent behavior later in life.

Since 1978, when lead was banned from house paint, our country has made gains in reducing lead exposures. Yet more than 300,000 children in our nation are estimated to have elevated blood lead levels, and these toys put millions more children at risk. Furthermore, many of these toys include familiar characters, including those from the popular Sesame Street and Dora the Explorer television programs, aimed at young children, who often learn by putting things in their mouths. We must take all necessary measures to ensure that the products we buy for our children are free of lead contamination.

The CPSC should have three commissioners to carry out the agency’s important consumer protection activities, with one of them acting as the chair. For over a year, the agency has been operating without the leadership of a permanent chairman, and is trying to carry out its activities with only two of the three commissioner positions filled. After waiting roughly eight months to nominate a commissioner, your nominee was forced to withdraw his name from consideration after concerns were raised about possible conflicts of interest that would limit his ability to act in the American consumer’s best interest. We must give the CPSC the authority and resources needed to protect our children and families, and I would urge you to appoint a qualified, unbiased commissioner to act as the Chair of CPSC as soon as possible.

It is shocking to me that the gains we have made in reducing lead hazard exposure are in danger of being overturned due to these unsafe toys, and I believe we cannot let this public health danger remain unchallenged. I look forward to working with you to ensure the CPSC has every tool necessary to reduce and prevent exposure to all products that pose threats to our children.

Thank you,


Hillary Rodham Clinton

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=280800&&

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. Actually, what needs to happen is we need to make free trade agreements disappear... nt

[MannyGoldstein]

2. She Shoulda Thought Of That When She Was Cheerleading "Free" Trade

Permanent "free" trade with China was a Jewel in the Clinton crown. I don't know why NAFTA gets all the blame - seems to me that the Clinton "free" trade with China gift has been much, much worse.