Senator Sherrod Brown

Washington, DC – As Halloween quickly approaches, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Dr. Jeff Weidenhamer, Professor at Ohio’s Ashland University, today discussed results of recent product lead testing. At Senator Brown’s request, Dr. Weidenhamer, Chairman of Ashland’s Chemistry Department, tested Halloween items purchased in Ohio. Three products – about one in seven -- were found to contain high lead levels.

“The safety net keeping our families safe from lead is being systematically dismantled by our nation’s failed trade policies,” Senator Brown said. “If we relax basic health and safety rules to accommodate Bush-style, NAFTA-modeled trade deals, then I’m afraid we should not be surprised to find lead paint on our toys and toxins in our toothpaste. We need a new approach to trade policy, and to import safety. We need to give consumers full information about the products they are purchasing. We need to protect the safety and health of our children and our families first.”

Tainted imports from China and other countries have, in recent months, led to the recall of hundreds of thousands of toys, tires, food products, and pet food products. Last year the U.S. imported more than $288 billion in Chinese goods, and this year that number is expected to top $300 billion. Numerous recalls prompted Senator Brown to inquire about the safety of Halloween products.

Dr. Weidenhamer analyzed the items for lead paint, after scraping paint off of the samples. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), acceptable levels of lead are 600 ppm. Lead content in samples from the three items found was as follows:

· Frankenstein Cup: 39,000 ppm

· Witch candy bucket: 21,000 ppm

· Skull candy bucket: 2,700 ppm

On Friday of last week, Dr. Weidenhamer sent a letter to the CPSC about his findings.

Senator Brown sent a letter yesterday to the CPSC urging quick action on this matter.

In his letter to Chairman Nancy A. Nord, Senator Brown wrote, “China makes nearly 80 percent of the toys that are imported into the United States, yet adequate safety measures have not been taken to assure that toys produced in China do not contain lead paint. As you know, lead is significantly more harmful to children than adults because it can affect children’s developing nervous system and brain. Small amounts, even dust and particles, can cause damage or possibly death. The government has the responsibility to ensure that products imported into our country are safe for our children. The study done by Professor Weidenhamer is extremely troubling. I would appreciate learning as soon as possible CPSC’s plans to address the problems he has identified.”

In addition, Senator Brown today discussed legislation he has introduced to address import safety. Last week, Brown introduced legislation that would make country-of-origin labeling (COOL) mandatory for processed foods.

In September, Brown introduced the Food and Product Responsibility Act of 2007, with Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), which would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to develop a program to ensure distributors are able to cover the costs associated with both product recalls and all personal and property damages. In addition, it would grant the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to require recalls of meat, poultry, and egg products and the FDA the authority to require recalls for fruits, vegetables, and other products it regulates.

In July, Brown and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Imported Food Security Act of 2007, which would mandate that foreign imports meet the same or better standards as those of the U.S. and give the FDA the authority to approve and disapprove countries eligible to import.

A copy of Brown's letter and a picture of the Frankenstein cup are included to the right.