County Executive Daniel McCoy stood with parents and children by signing the Toxic-Free Toys Act into law in Albany County earlier this year.
The new law bans the sale of seven toxic chemicals in children’s products. Less than two months after a major report, “Toxic Toys in Albany County,” found dangerous chemicals in children’s toys and products in Albany County, the county legislature and County Executive McCoy enacted legislation to protect children from the most hazardous chemicals known to cause cancer, reproductive disorders, autism, and learning disabilities. The banned chemicals include benzene, lead, mercury, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, and cobalt.
By signing into law this common-sense legislation, McCoy and the Albany County Legislature have demonstrated they are leaders where federal and state governments have failed to act.
This smart policy protects the health and well being of the children of Albany County and creates momentum for similar legislation to pass throughout New York.
Governor Cuomo outlined a similar platform for a statewide program in his 2015-2016 Opportunity Agenda, stating that the governor “will continue his commitment to keeping unnecessarily and harmful chemicals out of the homes of New Yorkers and out of reach for children by pushing stronger consumer protection legislation.”
He goes on to discuss how he is committed to passing the Child Safe Products Act, a top priority for the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter for several years. This legislation would:
- identify chemicals of high concern;
- create a priority list of chemicals of high concern found in children’s products and require that safer alternatives be used;
- require manufacturers to disclose the use of these priority chemicals in children’s products and alert retailers to their presence;
- and prohibit the most dangerous chemicals in children’s products.
To get more involved in toxics issues, e-mail Caitlin Pixley at caitlin.pixley@ sierraclub.org. For a copy of the “Toxic Toys in Albany County” report, click here.