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Written by: California Attorney General's Office

Published: 17 November 2009

Created: 17 November 2009

Last Updated: 17 November 2009

"Private testing uncovered a number of products designed for children that contain dangerous and illegal levels of lead," Brown said. "These products must be removed from store shelves at once to protect our kids from toxic lead exposure."

Children are particularly susceptible to the risks of lead exposure, which can damage the nervous system and other organs. Children are exposed by ingesting the lead when they put the products in their mouths, handle them and then touch their mouths, or transfer the lead from the products to food.

According to California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, any children's product that contains more than 300 parts per million (ppm) of lead is considered a hazardous substance and therefore illegal to sell in the state. The following products were found to contain excessive levels of lead:

– Kids Poncho sold by Walmart, 677 ppm;

– MSY Faded Glory Rebecca Shoes sold by Walmart, 1331 ppm;

– Reversible Croco Belt sold by Target, 4270 ppm;

– Dora the Explorer Activity Tote sold by TJ Maxx, 2348 ppm;

– Paula Fuschia Open-Toed Shoes sold by Sears, 3957 ppm;

– Disney Fairies Silvermist's Water Lily Necklace sold by Walgreens, 22000 ppm;

– Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit sold by Tuesday Morning, 6196 ppm.

Brown has also requested that the companies provide his office with results from any of their own tests conducted on the products and report how they plan to ensure that other items do not contain toxic quantities of lead.

Brown has reported the findings to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, which could order a recall of the products.

In 2008, Brown's office reached a settlement with several major toy companies over excessive levels of lead in their products. The settlement allocated $548,000 in funding for consumer safety groups to monitor lead levels in consumer goods and to provide outreach about product recalls. The Center for Environmental Health discovered the current violations with a grant from the Public Health Trust, which administers the settlement fund.

"Based on our testing, it appears there are fewer problem toys on store shelves this year. But parents should know that some children's products still contain high levels of lead," said Michael Green, Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Health. "After all the attention to lead-tainted toys, manufacturers and retailers still need to do more to keep lead out of our kids' hands."

A sample copy of the letter follows:

November 13, 2009

Dear Retailer:

We just received a report about a children's product purchased in your store in Richmond, California that contains illegal levels of lead. The lead levels reported exceed the limits in the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act ("CPSIA"). Furthermore, selling the product without a proper warning likely violates California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly known as "Proposition 65." We are writing to ask that you stop selling the product immediately and take other corrective action as needed.

The children's product is a Cherokee brand reversible "Croco" belt, Style 1139915TG, purchased at your store in Richmond on September 27, 2009. The SKU is 492020800102. Our internal reference number is PHT 082. Please use it in communications with our office about this. We have enclosed photographs of the product.

The item was purchased by an investigator for the Center for Environmental Health, using a grant from a fund administered by the Public Health Institute. The fund was established through a Proposition 65 settlement between our office and several companies over lead in toys. (People v. Mattel et al., Alameda County Super. Ct., Civ. No. RG 07-356892.) After screening the product for lead, the Center for Environmental Health sent a sample to a federally-approved laboratory for further testing. The test results, which are enclosed, indicate 4,270 parts per million ("ppm") lead in the black artificial leather on the front surface of the belt. This exceeds federal lead limits, which deem a children's product with more than 300 ppm lead in an accessible component a "banned hazardous substance." It also appears to violate Proposition 65, which requires a clear and reasonable warning prior to exposing persons to known carcinogens and reproductive toxins, including lead. (Cal. Health & Saf. Code, § 25249.6; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 27, § 27001.)

Lead is a toxic metal that damages the nervous system and other organs. Even at low levels of exposure, lead can impact brain development in children. Based on what appears to be violations of federal and state law, you should stop selling the product immediately. Additionally, please send us any test results you have and any representations from the manufacturer or supplier about the lead content in the product. Please contact us immediately so we can discuss what further actions your company intends to take.

Sincerely,

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.

Attorney General

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Written by: Editor

Published: 15 November 2009

Created: 13 November 2009

Last Updated: 13 November 2009

CLEARLAKE – The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Christmas party on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The event will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Zino's Restaurant, 6330 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

David Neft and Barbarajo Bloomquist will provide Christmas jazz.

A robbers gift exchange will be provided for those who wish to participate.

The cost is $25 per plate.

Seating is limited. Please RSVP by calling the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at 707-994-3600.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 14 November 2009

Created: 10 November 2009

Last Updated: 10 November 2009

Taking part in the Konocti Realty ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Oct. 27,2009, include, from left to right in the front row: Erin Altic, Frank Mattina, Miles Mattina, Matt and Stacey Mattina, Lakeport City Council member Suzanne Lyons, Isabella Mattina and interim City Manager Kevin Burke; second row, left to right, Theresa Lyndall, Margaret Mattina, Rick White, Mitsuko Barco, Scott Bennett and Natalie Baker. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.

LAKEPORT – On Oct. 29 the Lake County Chamber of Commerce hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting for Konocti Realty's location.

The business now is located at 601 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

Visit Konocti Realty online at www.konoctirealty.com .