From: "jeff zeitlin" <jeff.zeitlin@execnet.com>
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: lead toy ban      1/2
Date: 14 Dec 92 04:00:27 EST
Reply-To: "jeff zeitlin" <jeff.zeitlin@execnet.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Executive Networks Information

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.

DC::>Note: This is a Health Department unilateral decision.  This
  ::>is not legislation that was debated before passage.

  And it doesn't have to be.  The DoH has the power, and OBLIGATION,
  to act if there is a confirmed (or strongly suspected) heath hazard.
  Lead qualifies, and has done so for years.

DC::>He asked me to keep my eyes open for any newspaper or
  ::>magazine articles, etc.  He would like to collect each and
  ::>every word printed about this new regulation.

  He should call up the DoH and get a copy of the exact text of the
  regulation.  What he's trying to collect is not considered credible
  testimony in a court of law.

DC::>I would like to pass along this request to all of you
  ::>in net-land.  Sorry to those of you not here in NY, but
  ::>I figured that such a blow to our hobby would at least
  ::>be of interest to you.

  "Blow to our hobby"?  C'mon, you're _both_ blowing this out of
  proportion.  This is not directed at gamers or miniaturists; it's
  directed at the public health.  There is no certainty that it even
  applies to "collectable" figurines; even if it does, the regulation
  may be worded in such a way that the sale is _controlled_, not
  _prohibited_.

  Furthermore, there are other substances that are/can be used to make
  miniatures; these have been coming into use anyway, so there will
  probably not be major dislocation.  One of the major hobby stores in
  NYC (Compleat Strategist) sells a metal for making figurines, which
  isn't lead - I think the brand name is "Magic Metal".

  The regulation does not ban the sale of lead; it will still be
  possible to make your own figures, if you _must_ have lead.  Any
  gun/ammo shop that handles reloaders will be able to supply you with
  lead by the pound.

DC::>If you really are concerned, you might even want to jot
  ::>down any references from television or radio.  Date, time, channel,
  ::>brief summary of content, people interviewed, whatever else
  ::>you think might be valuable.

  If _you_ or _Egor_ are really concerned, and not just interested 
  in rumor-mongering, you'd call up the DoH yourselves and get the 
  whole story, and post _that_ instead of these wild, unsubstantiated
  accusations.

CW::>[note: if you live in NY, this is the time to FLOOD your STATE GOVERNMENT
  ::>       this kind of blind idiocy.  The FED regards lead mini's as COLLECTA
  ::>       not TOYS.  Ask HOW MANY LEAD POISONINGS can be attributed to these
  ::>       in the last year.   - MOD, r.g.frp.announce]

  ::>Approved: cwatters@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu

  Oh, give me a break!  Based on that logic, then the automobile
  should be banned nationally, and especially in New York, New 
  Jersey, and California, as it is probably the single item that 
  stands out as being involved in the majority of deaths reported in 
  any given year since World War II.  You're as bad as David and Crazy 
  Egor when it comes to rumor-mongering.  I'll concede that New York 
  State does some stupid things every once in a while, but I do not 
  think that this necessarily qualifies (I will be doing _my_ homework 
  later this week - and I strongly advise _all three_ of you to do 
  the same), and I have learned that there are always a bunch of 
  idiots like you that will try to cause trouble based on wild 
  accusations and incomplete information.  I hear this every year when 
  someone hears about the annually proposed "modem tax" here.  NOTHING 
  ever comes of it; the idea dies, and the discussion dies, usually 
  within a month.  I hope you and David both will cease this 
  rumor-mongering and rabble rousing, and CHECK YOUR FACTS _BEFORE_ 
  posting to an internationally distributed newsgroup.

  I had originally thought to send this private to David; I've changed
  my mind.  I will be posting this to rec.games.frp.misc instead, 
  since there are enough people who will swallow any bilge before 
  getting all of the facts.


(Continued to next message)
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