Importation Of Toxic Toys Fuels Cry For Reform

	MASSPIRG Executive Director Janet S. Domenitz talks to reporters about making toys safer, after a series of toys being sold were discovered to contain toxics.

In the wake of several large recalls of toys and other products contaminated with toxic chemicals this summer, MASSPIRG renewed our call for reforms on the state and federal levels.

In a statement released to the press, Executive Director Janet S. Domenitz said, “As far as toxics in children’s products—we are over-exposed, under-regulated and very late to waking up and getting government and industry to do a better job protecting us. We need aggressive action at the federal level to beef up our regulatory agencies, and we need action being proposed at the local and state level—such as several bills filed in the Legislature—that call for safer alternatives to toxics.”

MASSPIRG recently testified for a state bill, filed by Sen. Karen Spilka, which would ban the use of two toxics in products designed for children under age 3.

We have also petitioned Congress to strengthen the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency charged with ensuring that products sold in the United States are safe. The agency is underfunded, understaffed and lacks the enforcement powers need to ensure public health and safety.