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« Shady industry campaign kills CA ban on BPA in baby bottles | Main | Where can I get that? Online, of course! »
Lead: Celebrate its ban, but don't cross it off your list
Like many parents, I spent a lot of last year feeling outraged by the (literally) 45 million toy recalls, especially the lead paint. It seemed like every day I read about another contaminated children’s product. Lead is a known neurotoxin to young children that was banned 30 years ago for residential use in the U.S., yet here it was, topping my ‘avoid it’ list 30 years later. Huh?
So by November ’07 I was so mad that I gathered up a bunch of recalled toys from friends and delivered them to my U.S. Congressman and Senators – in baby gift bags, with a note. We suggested that they do something – effective and fast - to improve the safety of children’s products. And - somewhat amazingly – this August, they did. They signed a new product safety bill that not only banned lead but phthalates, too. Impressive.
Of course, I wasn’t the only one raising my angry parental voice over this one. Among others, the Consumers Union’s Not In My Cart campaign motivated many activists and summarizes the new law well. They also credit us activists with making it happen. As they reported:
The president has just signed into law one of the most significant product and toy safety reform bills in almost two decades, and you helped make it happen. Activists sent more than 400,000 emails, made countless phone calls and visited members of Congress urging them to pass the bill.And Congress listened, overwhelming passing the bill with only four ‘no’ votes out of 535 members. Yet big industry was up against a bigger force--the American consumer. You didn’t have the deep pockets or the access, but you had a voice, and you worked for months to let your lawmakers know you wanted them to do the right thing.
So possibly I’m just feeling self congratulatory. But I find this voice-of-the-voter feedback heartening. It helps me believe that when we feel really, very, super strongly about protecting our children, we can prevail. Until we hear that prenatal, women’s and children’s multivitamins contain lead, that is. A ban one week, another scary announcement the next. Call me crazy, but I’m still not feeling very confident, you know?
You can read all about the FDA’s recent vitamin survey here (including brand-by-brand results) and get a quick parent perspective here. The difference with this case is that the vitamins most likely contain lead because it often exists naturally near calcium sources, though the actual source of lead in the 324 vitamins tested is unclear. Doesn’t reduce the adverse health effects, doesn’t increase my trust in labels, but at least the data is in so we can toss the leaded vitamins out. The lead levels may not exceed FDA thresholds, but they exceed California’s and my own zero tolerance approach. Learn about the adverse health effects of lead here and ways to minimize exposure here.
Oh! I almost forgot. Do you wear lipstick?
« Shady industry campaign kills CA ban on BPA in baby bottles |
Comments
Lisa - Thanks for linking to my site! And I still think that even with the new standards for lead, it will take a number of years to get lead out of products . . . the 600 ppm standard for coatings and paints has been around for 30 years - yet we still had recalls for how many toys with lead in 2007?
Posted by: Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama | September 4, 2008 6:46 PM
I'm not seeing Enfamil's Poly•vi•sol liquid vitamin in the vitamin survey, yet I've had it recommended by at least 3 different pediatricians in 3 different practices. It seems to be a favorite for infants and toddlers. Was it not tested? Does anyone know?
Thank you.
Bettina
Posted by: Bettina | September 18, 2008 1:02 PM
Have you ever heard of Shaklee? I am a distributor and they products are all wonderful! We have vitamins for infants to adults.
From shaklee.com:
Lose the Battle, Win the War
If finding creative ways to give your children the nutrients they need is a struggle, fear not. Help has arrived.
Vita-Lea Ocean Wonders is the most comprehensive, tooth-friendly multivitamin and mineral supplement available today. Providing 23 essential nutrients, including 100% of B vitamins, trace minerals, vitamin K, and much, much more - and all of it in a natural base of phytonutrients - it keeps your children strong and healthy. And, the sugar alcohols in Vita-Lea Ocean Wonders (xylitol and mannitol) may reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Vita-Lea Ocean Wonders, with chewable tablets in dolphin, sea horse, and fish shapes, comes in three great-tasting flavors: orange, grape and berry. And, of course, no artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors or preservatives added.
Posted by: Emily | September 18, 2008 8:05 PM
I'm 3 months pregnant and has been taking Stuart Natal Duet
DHA which was recommnded by
my doctor. I don't see it on the list. Any information on
this product?
Posted by: Kristen | September 18, 2008 9:10 PM
"Parent's Nutrition Bible" by Dr. Earl Mindell says that Poli-Vi-Sol has as its third ingredient polysorbate 80, which is a homogenizer/solubilizer used in laundry detergent. I guess, as with everything else, read the label and do some research to decipher. I am a sceptic when it comes to, "the docor's say...". Good luck finding something that works for you!
Posted by: StacyC | September 19, 2008 5:32 PM
Emily, who posted a couple of days ago, neglected to emphasize that SHAKLEE nutritional supplements NEVER contain lead or any other harmful chemical. Shaklee's standards are higher than organic standards: products undergo 83,000 tests per year for purity and potency. Plus the nutritionals are made from foods, whereas most other companies use synthetic chemicals.
Also check out how Shaklee's cleaning and personal care products are green and non-toxic. Shaklee is the original green company - the first to be declared 100% climate neutral by the EPA. I have partnered with Shaklee for my family's needs and to help save the planet.
Posted by: Lori | September 20, 2008 1:50 PM