At the Burner-Sponsored Toy Testing Events
Posted by Lynn on Dec. 31, 2007
On Dec. 12th and 13th, Darcy Burner offered parents and other folks an opportunity to test toys that the children in their lives play with or might get as holiday gifts. A large number of community organizations joined in to help with the free testing events, held across the 8th Congressional District. At the various events, Darcy talked with most of the parents one on one while they were waiting to have their toys tested, hearing their concerns and talking about what she thinks Congress should be doing to protect children from the toxic toys and prevent them from being sold in the first place.
Joining her at the events was Jim Dawson, Field Coordinator for the Washington Toxics Coalition, an organization working to ban lead and cadmium at the state level. The Washington Toxics Coalition also co-sponsors a website, called Healthy Toys, where parents can learn more about the toys that are safe and those that are not. 
In Puyallup, at the first event, the United Steelworkers of America (USW), co-sponsored the event, held at the Puyallup Library. Rich Davies, President of Local 9041, and Jim Woodward, District 12 Director, were on hand to help and to discuss the campaign, "Protect our Kids - Stop Toxic Imports" that they have sponsored for 18 months. The USW has held house parties around the country to both help people understand how to protect their children and to point out a critical issue related to unchecked trade.
Catherine Mulhall, shown at the left talking with Darcy, brought in several of her young son's toys. She, along with several of the attendees, had had significant concerns about the safety of her child's toys and was delighted to have a place to test them for toxics . Paige Johansen brought several of her grandchildren's toys in. She said she too has been concerned lately because she thought the government provided more standardization and control. She said it was pretty scary and was going to take back two toys she'd already bought once she found out they had unacceptable levels of lead.
In Covington, the second stop, the local Kiwanis organization provided volunteers and apple cider at the event. Both Margaret Harto, Covington mayor, and Claudia Kauffman, representative from the 47th LD in the State House, championed the event and were on hand to assist. 
Melinda Stackle, a mom who brought her two young sons along, tested her several of her children's toys, as well as their cups and plates. The dishes were fine but one of her sons' toy cars was very high in both lead and cadmium and Stackle gave it to the Washington Toxic Coalition for use in their campaign. Stackle's younger son, Adam, sits waiting patiently while his Mom talks with the adults. 
The toy testing continued over the weekend in Renton, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Issaquah and Redmond. All events were well attended and three TV stations and several local print reporters were on hand to share information about the toy testing and the issues of toxics that impact our families.
