I just contacted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and asked them to vote yes for independent testing for toxics like lead in paint, lead content, and phthalates in products for children under the age of 12.

Independent testing would help stop toxic toys from getting to store shelves in the first place. The Commission rarely hears from real people, so our emails will make a big difference.

Would you take a quick moment to send a note too?

http://action.momsrising.org/letter/CPSCvote/?source=taf

*Check out the forwarded email below for more info.

Thanks!

Friend

******Forwarded Email Below*********

Toxic rubber ducky or poisonous toy train anyone?

We don't want toxic toys either.

That's why we're stepping up the pressure to get toxics out of toys. And we have a rare opportunity to do this. Please keep reading and take action because the window of opportunity here is small.

Time is tight. On October 19th, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will vote on whether or not independent testing for toxics like lead in paint, lead content, and phthalates in products for children under the age of 12 should be done before toys hit the store shelves.

Tell the CPSC to vote YES on October 19th for testing kids' toys for toxics BEFORE they reach the stores: http://action.momsrising.org/letter/CPSCvote/?source=taf

Taking one moment to click the above link will help stop toxic products before they hit the shelves! The current system, where you basically have to have a home chemistry lab in order to figure out if you've purchased a toxic toy or not, isn't working. The vote on October 19th is an important moment for us to make a difference for all kids (and parents who are shopping for gifts) in our nation.

* The CPSC vote is scheduled for October 19th which is next week, that's why they need to hear from families today!

This type of testing is sorely needed. Independent third party testing before products go on the market would insure the quality and safety of the products our kids interact with daily. These tests would include tests of paint, tests for lead, and tests for phthalates. (1)

These are crucial tests. Lead is a poison. Even even low levels of lead exposure can harm a child's mental development.(2) Phthalates, a chemical used to soften plastics, can impair reproduction and development, alter liver and kidney function, damage the heart and lungs, and affect blood clotting. (3)

And now, we can help protect our kids from these dangerous toxic chemicals. Also, if the CPSC votes YES on this new rule and requires independent third party testing, then it would have the added bonus of reducing the amount of product recalls that parents have to juggle by making the toys safer before they hit the toy stores. Fewer recall is a win-win for businesses and families because that means less returning of items to the manufacturer, less post-recall inconveniences, and fewer unhappy surprises when it comes to products in our homes. Fewer recalls would save businesses money, and save children from tears as favorite toys have to be returned.

This is it! October 19th is our moment to make a difference for kids. Tell the Commissioners at the CPSC to vote YES: http://action.momsrising.org/letter/CPSCvote/?source=taf

*The Commissioners of the CPSC rarely hear directly from families, so your message today will have a big impact. Please forward this email to friends and family--and also post the action link on Facebook. The more voices, the stronger our message.

Thank you for everything you do to protect our kids.

--Claire, Sarah, Kristin, Ashley, and the whole MomsRising team

1) http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia11/brief/componentpart.pdf

2) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002473.htm

3) http://www.noharm.org/lib/downloads/pvc/Agg_Exposures_to_Phthalates.pdf