December 21, 2007
Legislation will prohibit lead in products for children
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed into law new legislation that prohibits the sale and manufacture of lead-based toys and other consumer products designed for children in Michigan. The bills move the state closer to the Granholm administration's goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning in the state by 2010.
"We must do everything we can to protect Michigan's children from the dangers associated with lead-based toys," Granholm said. "Our action today is another step forward in ensuring that no child in our state is threatened by lead poisoning."
The four bill package - signed by Granholm yesterday - prohibits the manufacture and sale of toys with lead levels in excess of federal standards, prohibits the sale of lunch boxes containing lead, and requires labeling for certain lead-based consumer products. It also removes the sunset on the Michigan Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission, effectively allowing the commission to continue its work indefinitely.
The bills were sponsored by State Representatives Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw), PA 162/HB 4936; Lisa Wojno (D-Warren), PA160/HB 4399; Ed Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe Farms), PA 161/HB 4132; and State Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw), PA 159/SB 174.
Since 2004, Granholm has worked hard to eliminate the risks associated with lead, most notably creating the state's first lead poisoning prevention and control commission. Among its goals, the commission wants to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Michigan by 2010. Granholm also has committed more than $1 million to address lead poisoning prevention throughout the state.
Michigan also recently created a Web site that features the latest in federal consumer product recalls - the site can be found at www.michigan.gov/mdch. The site includes lead-based recalls in all consumer products, including toys.
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