Kannapolis Citizen
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
www.salisburypost.com/kc/

Kissell hosts holiday toy lead screening in Concord

CONCORD — Larry Kissell, Democratic candidate for congress in North Carolina's 8th District, hosted a free toy lead screening service for parents concerned about the safety of children's items this holiday season in Concord on Friday.

"Not only as a candidate for congress, but as a parent and school teacher, I'm concerned about dangerous imports and the safety of our children," said Kissell.

"Product safety and the restriction of dangerous imports are issues I will work on in congress, but I don't believe you have to wait for an election to begin working on behalf of families in the 8th District."

A North Carolina certified lead risk assessor, using X-ray fluorescence, the most reliable technology available, examined the hundreds of items brought to the downtown Concord event. Many parents and grandparents expressed concerns over Chinese-made toys in particular. As much as 80 percent of our toys now come from China.

"Parents should be aware of the potential risk of toys and other products being imported from China," said Kissell. "China has demonstrated little to no understanding of U.S. consumer protection requirements, and this administration has demonstrated little to no concern for enforcement."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) came under fire earlier this year as more than 20 million toys manufactured in China were recalled due to an assortment of hazards, including lead contamination. Lead is toxic and may cause brain damage, organ failure and even death in children. CPSC Chairwoman Nancy Nord and President George Bush have continued to rebuff calls for modernization and authority expansion of the agency, currently at half the staff capacity of 1980 levels.

"Our children's safety is not a discretionary budget item," said Kissell. "I'm happy to offer the testing of toys and cheap imported goods as a service to our families while the Washington politicians bicker. We have to remember that we can lose more than just our jobs to these bad trade deals."