President Bush on Thursday signed consumer-safety legislation that bans lead from children's toys, imposing the toughest standard in the world. The new law prohibits lead, beyond minute levels, in products for children 12 or younger. Lead paint was a major factor in the recall of 45 million toys and children's items last year, many from China. Both houses of Congress approved the bill by overwhelming margins two weeks ago. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are about 28,000 deaths each year linked to unsafe products, including toys, in the United States. More than 33 million people were injured last year by consumer products. The bill also bans a chemical called phthalates that is widely used to make plastic products softer and more flexible. ...
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