From: cwatters@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Coyt D Watters)
Subject: Re: lead toy ban      1/2
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: rec
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 16:24:59 GMT

In article <1992Dec14.2467.6583@execnet> "jeff zeitlin" <jeff.zeitlin@execnet.com> writes:
>DC::>I just got a call from Paul "Crazy Egor" Meyer, the game dealer.
>
>DC::>He has just found out that the New York State Dept of Health has
>  ::>just issued a regulation banning the sale of lead figures in
>  ::>NY state.  (Please forgive me if this is not the _exact_ story.
>  ::>I am just passing along what I heard).
>
>  Crazy Egor is living up to his name.  The ban was not on lead
>  FIGURINES, it was on TOYS containing lead, and then only in contexts
>  where the lead has a large likelihood of being propagated into the
>  body.  This does not automatically mean that lead figurines are
>  banned, although they _may_ be covered.
>
>  In case you didn't know, lead _is_ toxic.  This is why lead-based
>  paints were removed from the market, and why gasoline containing
>  lead has also been removed from the market.
>

Well, I guess you DO NOT have all the facts.

The ban SPECIFICALLY names companies whose products must no longer be sold.
1 of them is Lance and Laser, a local company here in Columbus.  Matter of
fact, the BAN was the topic of an article in the Saturday, December 12 
_Columbus Dispatch_.

Yes, lead is toxic.  Any adult should know to keep lead away from children,
and to not let them play with unsealed or broken figurines.  I have yet to 
see a package of minis which does not have a "CONTAINS LEAD, KEEP AWAY FROM
CHILDREN" or similar warning visible.  The FED decided that the figures were
indeed made for teens and adults as collectables, not AS TOYS.  This is why
the Federal rulings on the lead content of toys exempts the figurines, since
they are not considered toys.  I have yet to see a study which proves that 
there have been cases of poisoning from lead minatures.  Choking is a more
likely problem.

As to it's application to other hobbies.  I have seen "white metal" kits for
autos and accessories for model railroading.  "White metal" usually contains
lead, and it is not too far to stretch the ruling to declare that the 
accessories are indeed, TOYS, and should also be covered under the BAN.

As to my moderation, if you have a complaint, let me know.  I listen to the
readership and make changes to my moderation guidelines as needed.  The 
guidelines I use, and the charter, allow a wide interpretation of what is
postable.  The original post was within those guidelines.  IF you really want
the job of moderator, let me know and we'll do what we can to smooth the 
transition between moderators.

My editorializing was my response to the stupidity of a ban on items intended
for sale to adults, which , I contend, should be the adult's responsibility to
keep out of the hands of children.  This includes pornography, firearms, drugs,
miniatures, car keys, toxic cleaners, etc.  I agree that the STATE has the
responsibility to insure that children are not harmed by items intended for 
children, or items over which the parent has no control (i.e. leaded gas, 
lead paint, lead plumbing, second hand smoke in public places), even if this 
includes a ban on the harmful forms of the substance.  On items intended for 
adult use, labeled so the adult is warned of the hazards, the adult should be
the responsible party. 

-Coyt