Where Do You Buy Safe Toys?

From Wall Street Journal today: In the state of Washington, the lawmakers have passed a bill that would set the toughest restrictions in the nation on the lead content of children's products. The bill would reduce the level of lead from 600 parts per million (the current federal standard) to 90 parts per million and possibly 40 parts per million (the limit recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics). Other chemicals that would have reduced levels and are part of the ban are cadmium (used in paint) and phthalates (banned in Europe for a while). (And let's hope it sticks in this lawyer's country ). The reason for this? WSJ is quite blunt:

"Congress is considering new federal lead limits and other toy-safety standards but isn't moving fast enough for sponsors of bills in 29 state legislatures. Illinois and Michigan have already enacted new lead laws, which aren't as tough as the Washington bill. A ban on phthalates is due to take effect in California next year. The TIA says it has hired lobbyists to battle legislative proposals in 10 states, including Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin."

The most aggressive right now is the state of New York, as the WSJ Table (above) shows. So, for the rest of us concerned about safety, I guess the message is: "Buy NY and WA toys!" (one example: Buy Buy Baby )