January 07, 2009

I'm pretty much horrified. I feel like I'm in a bad dream. Nice way to start off the year law wise. But, heh, could this only be the tip of the ice burg in view of the leadership we will have in a few days. (I could get into the issue about our current and previous leadership as well, but I won't.) I could compose the information I have seen and recounted the details here on H.R. 4040 but so many people have already done it so eloquently. In that light I will post links and a bottom line. Please read and respond. I sincerely hope something can be done about this blanket law, which has NO exemption for the private person or a charity.

The bottom line is: anything made or manufactured (including by private persons) for a child (12 and under) and distributed must be tested and certified lead free. The blanket statement has overwhelming direct effect on a large amount of people. The small business owners, thrift stores, and a PRIVATE person would be required to test for lead. So, Sue can no longer knit a baby blanket for Linda's new baby unless the finish product has been tested. Thrift stores will no longer be able to carry items designed for children unless each item has been tested, with a tremendous price tag of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Homeschooling parents would be required to test each text book they distribute to their children. Libraries will have to burn all the books and replace the entire collection or comply and pay for testing (all with our tax dollars). EBay, criegslist, and yard sales would be included in this?? Giving your child's used clothing (untested and non certified) to a friend for her children would be a crime. It just goes on and on.... the pivotal question is: "what is a distributor?"

Read the amendments to the current law (which now are law): http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf

Read blogs posts to follow up from concerned citizens....

http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read.php?post_id=1320853

http://weblog.xanga.com/gloryquilts

What you can do about it:

http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1352175/ACT_NOW_before_CPSIA_hurts_us_all

Oh and, Happy New Year. : /

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