[OPLINLIST] action requested from ALA on legislation regarding lead and children's books

[Hickson-Stevenson, Pamela]

Action Alert: Ask your Representative to Sign Rep. Fortenberry's Dear
Colleague on Lead in Children's Books!

Take Action!
<http://capwiz.com/ala/utr/1/GVCNKFNCAK/IWMKKFNCIT/3146265251> 

	
 

As you know, Congress passed legislation titled "The Consumer Product
Safety Improvement Act of 2008" last August.  This legislation seeks to
decrease the levels of lead and phthalates in products intended for
children 12 years of age or younger and is enforced by the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC).   This legislation was misinterpreted
by the CPSC to include books.

Thankfully, U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) recently introduced
legislation to amend the CPSIA to exempt ordinary books from the lead
limits within the bill.  This legislation specifically exempts books and
would ensure that children can continue to have access to safe,
educational and entertaining reading materials.  Mr. Fortenberry cannot
drive this legislation alone; he needs our help to ensure that his
colleagues understand books are indeed a safe product, but our
children's access to them is threatened because of the CPSC's current
interpretation.  

Action Needed: In order to gain the attention this legislation deserves,
please call or write your Representatives and ask them to cosponsor H.R.
1692.

Time is of the essence; we have less than 11 months before the new
implementation date arrives, and it is critical that we convince as many
Members as possible to sign onto this legislation.  Without our
advocacy, this legislation will not move forward!

Background:
Currently, books are considered an unregulated product.  This means they
are generally considered safe and are not subject to the same rules and
regulations as toys and other objects on the U.S. market.  Under the new
interpretation of the CPSIA, books would be subject to the same testing
standards as children's toys and clothing.  

Very few recalls have actually involved books; in fact, the recalls
surrounding books have not happened because of the books themselves but
rather the toys that were attached to the books that were considered
potential choking hazards.  In spite of this information, the standard
hardcover and paperback books would be subject to the same testing
standards as children's toys under the new legislation.

Publishers have tested the components of books and found that the levels
of lead in children's books were far below the future legal requirements
at the full implementation of the regulations three years from now.
However, the advisory opinion from the CPSC says that not only must the
testing be done by one of their certified labs but that this legislation
also is retroactive, and every book currently in use must be tested.
This situation will become even more complicated because the CPSC has
not certified any labs to administer the lead testing.

At this point, the CPSC has issued a one-year stay in implementation -
meaning, the legislation will not be implemented until February 10,
2010.  However, the CPSC has indicated that they will not permanently
exclude books without some sort of clear Congressional action.

Talking points on H.R. 1692:

*	Though the CPSC has interpreted the act to include ordinary
books, Congress did not intend for them to be included. 
*	This legislation would exempt ordinary books only - books that
are published on paper or cardboard, printed by conventional publishing
methods, intended to be read, and lacking inherent play value.
*	Testing has shown that finished books and their component
materials contain total lead content at levels considered
non-detectable.
*	The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has determined
that there is little risk to children from lead in ordinary books. 
*	Libraries are grateful for this bill since it is proven that
reading books is critical to child development, and libraries would like
to continue to provide this service without the threat of regulation
that would unnecessary and expensive testing.

 

 

 

Pamela J. Hickson-Stevenson, Ohio Chapter Councilor to ALA and

Assistant Director

Akron-Summit County Public Library

60 S. High Street

Akron, OH  44326

 

Phone 330.643.9102

Fax 330.643.9160

 

phs at akronlibrary.org <mailto:phs at akronlibrary.org> 

www.akronlibrary.org <http://www.akronlibrary.org>  

 

The Akron-Summit County Public Library provides resources for learning
and leisure, information services, meeting spaces, and programs for all
ages that support, improve, and enrich individual, family, and community
life.

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