LANSING – On the heels of a House Democrat-led victory in the fight to protect children from toxic toys, State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) today encouraged parents to learn more about products in their homes that may contain harmful levels of lead. HealthyToys.org, a project of the nonprofit Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center, provides a database of toys that have been tested for toxic chemicals including lead. The database is searchable by name, brand and type of toy, and lists recommended toys.
"Unfortunately, 2007 was the year of the recall – which makes it difficult for parents to keep up with the latest information on what's safe and what's not for their children," Mayes said. "Parents have tremendous resources available to them online, and part of my job as a State Representative is ensuring that Bay County residents have the information they need to be informed consumers."
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm recently signed into law consumer-protection legislation that safeguards children from toxic toys. The new laws were rooted in Democrats' ongoing consumer-protection fight – in June, the House passed a plan that to protect Michigan's children by virtually eliminating the amount of lead found in toys.
"My colleagues in the House and I have been vigilant in fighting to protect our state's children from toxic levels of lead, and we will continue that work in 2008," Mayes said. "I applaud the Ecology Center for its consumer-protection efforts with projects such as HealthyToys.org. Working together, we will continue to make Michigan a great place to live and raise a family."
Nationwide recalls announced in 2007 include Fisher-Price brand toys featuring characters like Elmo, Big Bird and Dora the Explorer; "Sarge" products from the Pixar movie "Cars"; GeoTrax components; Barbie accessories; and Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway toys and parts.