to test or not to test

 

The ban on toys and other products containing levels of toxic substances was set to take effect on Feb 10th.  However, under pressure by manufacturers and retailers, the testing requirements have been delayed by Congress, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The stay allows manufacturers, which have been hit hard by the recession, to put off costly product testing for levels of lead, used to stabilize the plastic in products, and phthalates, which are chemicals used to soften plastic.  Under the new laws, lead was not allowed above 600 ppm and phthalates had to be less than 1000 ppm.  

Producers and sellers of the products were concerned that in this economy the added cost to comply with the requirements would have put them out of business.

Many consumer groups, however, think this was a poor decision on the part of our lawmakers.  Citing most recent testing done on products out of CVS pharmacies, in which at least one toy tested at 15 times higher than the allowable limits, “there should be something to back up a claim that the products are safe, but without testing and certification there’s no assurance,” said Charles Margulis, a spokesman for the Center for Environmental Health.

Ever since the ban was voted into law, both sides have been very vocal about the pros and cons of the new requirements.  The manufacturers and sellers have been arguing that much of the product already on the shelves would have to be recalled, which also causes concern for many environmental groups because of the potential illegal dumping of contaminated product.  However, the flip side is that children should not be exposed to such products, either.  

This is a debate that will effect our lawmakers for years to come.  Making the wrong decision will be sure to hurt one party in irreversible ways.