Petitioned by the National Environmental Trust and others, CPSC did its own study on phthalates in children's toys more than two years go. The latest flap over phthalates could mean a new wave of extremist pressures to accomplish the goal of eliminating the use of plastics, despite lack of scientific data proving a health risk. Craig's study is based on estimates derived from data reported by 100 hospital emergency rooms throughout the country. The margin of error, according to the report, is plus or minus 5,600, an unheard of scope for risk analysis. What Markey failed to note in his statement is that there is a network of state, local and private regulation of the big amusement parks.
Voluntary standards governing ride safety are in place and are revised frequently.
Forty-two states have laws governing ride safety. Parks also carry liability insurance, and insurance company inspectors make periodic, sometimes daily, visits to inspect the rides. Yet Markey's bill would not give CPSC authority to inspect rides either. It would, however, extend CPSC's jurisdiction so that its enforcement personnel can impose federal penalties on park management that fails to report any incident, however slight. CPSC's own numbers show that riding on a fixed site amusement park ride is still one of the safer forms of recreation.