Should Children's Books Be Tested for Excess Lead?

When Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, it was in response to the increasing number of children's toys and other products, many imported from China, that were found to have dangerous levels of lead and other health hazards. However, the Act is so broad that it is impacting a great many products for children 12 and under. Under the CPSIA, products that require testing for lead by independent labs include children’s books. However, there is a question as to whether an excess of lead content is a valid issue in the case of children’s books. Lead was phased out of printer’s ink after 1978 and the amount of lead in books published prior to that date is in question. The American Library Association (ALA) and book publishers are seeking to have books exempted from the Act on the grounds that they do not represent a health danger. Read my article and, then, click on "Comments" below and share your opinion.