In my humble opnion, just as important as letting parents know that their is a problem, is to recommend actions that parents can take to afffect change today and tomorrow.

I agree that legislation is the ultimately the way to impact most change. However, the recent number of recalls has me skeptical that the toys my child currently has in his possesion are currently safe, especially since new research states that levels of lead expsoure, under 10 dcl (current limit that CDC has for identifying excess levels) can account for 2/3 of the damage that lead levels b/t 10-30 dcls has shown to be harmful.

In terms of the at home-lead testing kits – again, mixed signals. CPSC says not reliable but consumer reports says some kits are. Humn, who do we believe? An independent organization (Consumer reports) or the orgnization (CPSC) that has a ton of egg on its face for its complete lack of institutional control (ie one person in charge of testing toys for lead).

That said, there are lots of things parents can do this season. First, look out for recalls. Second, look for other safety issues you can do something about (small parts, long strings on pull toys, noisy toys, smelly toys, splinters and wood shavings on wooden toys, chipped paint on wooden toys). On the lead safety issue, we are encouraging parents to take action by contacting their elected representatives–and not allow this issue to suffer from “there’s nothing I can do about it” syndrome.

Here are all the steps we suggest from our website:

Given the severe health risk lead poisoning poses to children, we are calling for consumers to demand the following actions be taken by the industry and the government:

1. The federal and state governments should prohibit the use of any form of lead in children’s toys, products, accessories and jewelry.
2. The federal and state governments need to impose mandatory batch testing for lead and phthalates on all toys sold in the United States.
3. Manufacturers must certify that toys they distribute are lead free. Products should be labeled clearly for consumers.
4. Retailers must guarantee that the toys on their shelves have been independently verified and are lead free.
5. Federal regulations need to be put in place for the proper removal and disposal of recalled toys..

Links for contacting your representatives:

* Congress http://www.house.gov/writerep/
* Senate http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

What can you do at home:

1. Check your child’s play room (at home, school, daycare, friends houses) for recalled toys. A complete (and constantly growing) list is at cpsc.gov. Please check this list frequently.
2. Remove any recalled toys immediately. Check the CPSC.gov website for the procedure for refunds/exchanges.
3. If you are at all concerned that your child has been exposed to lead, have your child tested. Low-level lead poisoning is asymptomatic. Your pediatrician can do a simple blood test.
4. Save your money. According to the experts, at home lead testing kits are not reliable.

I mean, you list of myths leaves a parent with no actionable steps to take. It basically says…don’t trust anything these days. Your work is great but as experts on the subject you should give parents reasonable actions to follow. Basically, you are saying that everything a child touches should be sent to a lab first.