Under the CPSIA, which was passed by Congress in August, children’s products are required to undergo stringent testing for lead and phthalates. Currently, the General Counsel of the CPSC is interpreting the law to apply to ordinary, paper-based books for children 12 years of age or younger, so that all such books and product would have to be tested for lead content. Therefore, public, school, academic and museum libraries would be required either to remove all their children’s books or ban all children under 12 from visiting the facilities as of February 10.
Read the whole article here!
Can you imagine not being able to take our children to the library until they are 12 years old? And the library at children's schools being on lock down? This is ridiculous! I was already upset about how this is going to effect small businesses that sell used clothes and toys and people that make items from home that can't afford to have every item tested for lead. And now this!
Yet another reason I need LESS government in my life!
What can we possibly do to stop this?
I don't know Connie. I wish I had something insightful or witty to say... It is out of control. I can understand no lead in new products, but I don't see how they are going to be able to test everything, and books... How much lead could they have in them?
ReplyDeleteMaybe if we all band together and do something?
Jen
Oh geez louise. Could this law get anymore ridiculous?
ReplyDeleteLess government? Yes please.
I agree, I'm horrified that this isn't getting more mainstream press. February 10th is coming soon and people don't seem to realize that, in addition to all the small business that will go out of business, schools across America will have to empty out their supplies and have them tested as the act currently stands. Libraries will have to choose between banning childern or testing everything (I can tell you my daughter did research in the adult sections when she was 11...)
ReplyDeleteThe ALA had a release about this earlier last week and I used this form to send my message to the CPSC: http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/commissionernord.aspx
At least you will have let the one person who stand to be able to stop this train wreck know your opinion.
This sounds so rediculous. Who thought this one up? And how many children through the ages have een affected by reading library books? Let's now waste our precious money here!
ReplyDeleteConnie! I found a post that you really need to read regarding this issue and they have a plan. Here it is:
ReplyDeletehttp://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/index.php/2009/01/28/raise-your-voice-for-change/
You know it has been put off for a year. Maybe they will figure it out by then.
ReplyDeleteJen! Thanks so much for that link!
ReplyDelete