Candidates weigh in on lead paint in toys

Senator Barack Obama has written to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens to move forward his Lead Free Toys Act of 2007:

Over 400,000 children in this country are estimated to have high blood lead levels, with risk of serious learning disabilities, behavioral problems, damage to vital organs including the kidneys, brain and bone marrow, and death. It is simply unconscionable that products that pose such a serious and significant danger to children are so prevalent in our department stores and markets. The Lead Free Toys Act of 2007 will help us keep our children safe and healthy, and contribute to national efforts to reduce lead exposure.

Senator John Edwards's campaign also released a statement calling for stronger laws to safeguard consumers:

"The recall of Fisher-Price toys highlights the need for smarter, safer trade and consumer protection policies in this country. I've talked about what we have to do to make food safer. Now with nearly 80 percent of children's toys made in China, we need to strengthen our ability to ensure the safety of products designed for our children's hands. We need tougher penalties for safety violations and we need to look at solutions like third-party testing of imported toys. At the same time we need to put the Consumer Product Safety Commission back on the side of consumers—instead of having their travel bought and paid for by the industries they are supposed to regulate."