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Getting the lead out of libraries

• Published March 17, 2009

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Should your child forego reading that ancient copy of "Ramona The Brave" or "Where the Wild Things Are" from your 1980s bookshelf in favor of more recently printed books?

Here's an interesting story via Associated Press, regarding a disagreement over what to do about books printed before 1986, which may have been printed with lead-based ink. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is including books printed more than 22 years ago in the category of items that should be off-limits to children under 12. From the story:

A federal law passed last summer and effective Feb. 10 bans lead beyond minute levels in most products intended for children 12 or younger. It was passed after a string of toy recalls. The CPSC is interpreting the law to include books.

According to the story, American Library Association thinks the CPSC is being overly cautious about the millions of children's books that still exist from before 1986 --- and overstepping its bounds because libraries don't sell anything. Anyway, check out the story.

--- Venice Buhain, Olympian education reporter