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Statement

CPSC Acted in Best Interest of Nation's Children

October 19, 2011

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director, MomsRising
“The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today took an important step to protect our nation’s children, by voting to require independent third-party testing for several dangerous chemicals, including lead and phthalates, in children's products before they reach stores.
 
Lead, phthalates and other toxins do not belong in toys and products that we assume to be safe for our families. No level of toxins is safe for children – even low levels of many chemicals have been found to be dangerous. Many toxic chemicals have been found to harm children's mental development, impair reproduction and development, alter liver and kidney function, affect blood clotting, and more. It’s shocking and unacceptable that products that could cause them harm ever make it to store shelves.
 
Today, moms, dads, grandparents and everyone else who care for or cares about kids can breathe a little easier.  This new rule will help ensure that children aren't unnecessarily exposed to toxins like lead and phthalates through their toys and other products. Stopping toxic products containing lead and phthalates from ever making it to the store also means fewer product recalls, making this a win-win for businesses and families alike.
 
This is a major step in updating our nation’s chemical policies. We’re delighted that the CPSC has heard the concerns of parents, and has acted in the best interest of our children.”
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.