| Toy SafetyOver the last year – the year of the recall -- over 25 million toys were recalled for toxic lead, dangerous small magnets, choking or other hazards. In response to PIRG's 2007 Trouble In Toyland report, the government has already recalled two PIRG-identified magnet hazards and one choking hazard toy. In response, both the U.S. House and Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to beef up the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and guarantee the safety of children’s toys and other consumer products. The two bills are similar in many ways, but not all, so the House and Senate are now in the process of reconciling differences in a “conference committee” where they will finish the bill to send to the president. PIRG’s Goal: That the conference committee takes the strongest parts from each bill and sends a final law to the president by Memorial Day. The opposition disagrees: The toy manufacturers and chemical companies have a different plan. They want Congress to take the weakest part of each bill and limit the CPSC’s ability to protect children. How You Can Help: Send this letter into a letter to the editor to your local newspaper. Feel free to add your own words. You’ll need your full contact information for the letter to be accepted.
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Each
state Public Interest Research Group is independent and locally
based. The state PIRGs work together nationally to share ideas and
resources and cooperate on regional and national issues.
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