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LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, the city's chief prosecutor, today announced the launch of his Holiday Lead Toy Exchange Program, sponsored by his office, in partnership with the Healthy Homes Collaborative, the Center for Environmental Health and other community-based environmental advocacy organizations. The program is part of City Attorney Delgadillo's ongoing efforts to protect the children of Los Angeles from the harmful effects of toys contaminated by lead.
"There is no safe level of lead. It is toxic in even the smallest amount," said City Attorney Delgadillo. "So we must do everything we can to keep this toxic substance away from our kids."
The City Attorney today joined with lead safety advocates to announce that on Saturday, December 20, 2008, the City Attorney's Office will hold a Lead Toy Exchange at four locations throughout the City of Los Angeles: Ritchie Valens Aquatic Center in Pacoima, Stoner Recreation Center in West Los Angeles, Hollenbeck Recreation Center in East Los Angeles, and Green Meadows Recreation Center in South Los Angeles. Each of these locations will feature on-site testing from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, to check all toys for lead contamination.
Any toy found to preliminarily test positive for lead can then be exchanged for a $25.00 gift card. A second toy preliminarily testing positive for lead contamination may also be exchanged for another $25.00 gift card. A limit of two gift cards/exchanges per household will be observed while supplies last. Gift cards will only be handed out in exchange for lead-contaminated toys.
The City Attorney's Office will work with the appropriate regulatory agencies to ensure the proper and safe removal of all toys collected at the event. Depending on the popularity of the event, parents may be asked to limit the number of toys they bring to the exchange.
Families can visit www.lacity.org/leadtoyexchange for more information about the program, as well as a list of 1,500 toys and children's products which have recently been tested for lead.
Lead has been listed since 1987 on the Governor's list of chemicals that can cause reproductive harm and birth defects, and since 1992 has been on the list of chemicals known to cause cancer. Exposure to lead occurs chiefly from ingestion, such as eating or putting objects into the mouth - putting young children particularly at risk. Impacts include birth defects, learning disabilities, hearing loss, reduced attention span, and behavioral abnormalities. Teenagers also can suffer adverse effects, including brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss, and impaired growth.
The City Attorney's Lead Toy Exchange Program is consistent with the terms of a recent $1.79 Million settlement with Mattel Inc. and several other toy makers over allegations of lead in toys - a violation of California's Proposition 65. |