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Borgia Introduces Children’s Product Safety Act

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – The Westchester County Board of Legislators’ Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining) has introduced legislation requiring retailers to test toys for dangerous chemicals to prevent contaminated toys from reaching county residents.  

Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining)  recently introduced legislation requiring retailers to test toys for dangerous chemicals.

Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining) recently introduced legislation requiring retailers to test toys for dangerous chemicals.

Photo Credit: File Photo

She also unveiled the “Toxic Toys in Westchester County" report, which details the presence of toxic chemicals such as mercury and cadmium in children’s products, according to a press release. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, cognitive impairments, hyperactivity and genetic disorders in children. The items tested were purchased in Westchester County during November and December 2014. “As we enter into this holiday season, it is important to keep in mind the safety of the toys we give our children,” Borgia said. “Many toys that retailers currently have for sale may contain poisonous chemicals, which can result in serious illness to those who come into contact with them. The use of safety equipment to adequately test these potentially dangerous toys can help to block some of them from ever reaching our communities.”

The study was conducted by Clean and Healthy New York and the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.

Researchers visited Target, Party City, Walmart, The Children’s Place, Macy’s, Spencer’s and Lord  & Taylor stores in Westchester County.

The report identified toxic substances including antimony in jewelry, clothing, a doll, a key chain and a toy train; cadmium in a key chain, jewelry, clothing, toy cars, a toy train and a penlight; cobalt in a key chain, jewelry and accessories; lead in jewelry and accessories; and mercury in a wooden flower necklace and toy cars. BOL Democratic caucus members including Legislator Pete Harckham (D-North Salem) co-sponsored Borgia’s toxic toy legislation.

“Most parents probably never realize that innocent seeming toys may actually have toxic effects on their children,” said Harckham. “It makes sense to require retailers to place only safe products on their shelves, and legislation directing them to do so would be a matter of good public health policy.”  

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