Children's Books Printed Before 1985 May Contain Lead Paint

I must be a little late to hear this news as I was out of town last week attending the International Toy Fair, but I happened across this article online that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) considers children's books published before 1985 unsafe as they may contain lead pigments in the inks.

Is anything safe for our kids anymore?  Children's books of all things! Many of my old books are treasured heirlooms, classics that I just can't bring myself to throw away. Although this article says that lead in old illustration books doesn't pose a hazard to children, I know I don't want my children exposed to the risk of lead based paint. I need not to be concerned with my books because they were printed after 1985!  I found lead paint testing kits online, and they are relatively inexpensive.

Even if the paint doesn't tend to fall of in chunks or flakes for toddlers to put in their mouths, they are still prone to chewing and licking practically everthing in site. My children are well beyond this age, but if you have old children's books that you planned to read to your children, you may want to consider testing them for lead paint along with everything else they play with.

I will get back to you soon to talk about the outstanding Toy Fair in New York. Sorry it has taken me so long but I am trying to get organized after being out of town for so long... Brenda