MONROE – With the holiday shopping season in full swing, State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today thanked the families who attended her toy safety workshop on protecting Michigan's children from the growing problem of toxic toys. The free town hall, which was held in Monroe on Monday evening, included advice from experts and the chance for families to get their toys tested for dangerous levels of lead.
"Shopping for toys for the children in our lives should be a fun activity, not a stressful time when we worry if the
toy on the shelf is safe," Ebli said. "I organized this town hall as a way for families to learn from experts while also
getting the opportunity to bring in toys they may have concerns about."
Experts who were on hand at the event included Brad van Guilder, Community Organizer for the Ecology Center, Dr.
Jonathan E. Pasko, a pediatric internist with Mercy Memorial Hospital, and Bill Caughie from Innov-X Systems. Innov-X
Systems provided use of its handheld XRF analyzer, a device designed to test for contaminants.
"It's unfortunate, but 2007 turned out to be the year of the recall, with millions of toys, including some of the most popular brands on the market, pulled from store shelves," Ebli said. "My colleagues in the House and I are actively working to protect our children from the threat of lead. Our plan virtually eliminates the amount of lead that can be applied to children's toys sold in our state. By strengthening consumer protections, we will provide an incentive for more people to hit the stores, which will boost our economy."
Ebli and her House colleagues took decisive action earlier this year to protect Michigan's children by passing a plan that would virtually eliminate the lead found in toys. The three-bill package, which passed the House in June, would limit the amount of lead that can be applied to children's toys sold in Michigan to 0.06 percent. Currently, there are no federal or Michigan laws that regulate the amount of lead in children's products. The plan establishes civil fines for those who violate these limits, starting with $100 per item. Beginning with the third offense, the fine would be $1,000 per item, up to $50,000. The plan also regulates the amount of lead allowed in children's jewelry and lunch boxes.