Listeners call in and tell us where their holiday gifts are coming from. Are they boycotting toys made in China? Or are they buying locally for environmental reasons?
I've been a member of Co-op America for years. It is an organization that has been around for 25 years with the mission of creating a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. It publishes the very helpful "National Green Pages" every year, listing businesses that pass its high standards for inclusion in the book---there is a section on toys.
Dec. 05 2007 12:03 PM
Score: 0/0
James
from Linden, NJ
This is a good example of the power the news media has to push issues to the front of the consciousness of the public. Unfortunately, the issue of toys from China has been overblown. A tiny, tiny fraction of all toys imported have been recalled from China, but as usual, the repetition of the story has inflated the issue. Everyone is stating the danger of importing lead-tainted toys, but few are actually stating the actual size of the problem, which is very small. It does make for good ratings in the news media.
Dec. 05 2007 11:58 AM
Score: 0/0
James
from DUMBO
Why are there not more toys made in the USA? Well, would you work for $1 a day in horrid conditions to make tots so that people in Wal-Mart can buy them cheaply?! Probably not. Lead in toys is bad but shouldn't we also talk about the slaves (yes, these people are economic slaves) we have in China that make them?
Dec. 05 2007 11:58 AM
Score: 0/0
Jonlyn Freeman
from Tennessee
I'd like to know how many toy trains a child needs to eat before they have enough lead in their system to result in developmental harm. I know that kids will put all kinds of things in their mouths, but these are not lead-painted lollypops and lead paint is not something that can be licked off. I am much more concerned about the children in China who are making these toys than the children who are apparently being fed these toys.
Dec. 05 2007 11:56 AM
Score: 0/0
Peter
from Brooklyn
GIVING BOOKS!
Dec. 05 2007 11:52 AM
Score: 0/0
Chad Harris
from Ridgewood
I was shopping on Black Friday for my niece with my sister and realized that almost all the products at Toys r Us and Walmart toys are from China.
Some of them actually have been recalled. I really think these toy makers are waiting till after the holiday season to recall these toys.
Something is FISHY here. I feel awful for the children making these toys.
Dec. 05 2007 11:45 AM
Score: 0/0
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Comments [6]
I've been a member of Co-op America for years. It is an organization that has been around for 25 years with the mission of creating a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. It publishes the very helpful "National Green Pages" every year, listing businesses that pass its high standards for inclusion in the book---there is a section on toys.
This is a good example of the power the news media has to push issues to the front of the consciousness of the public. Unfortunately, the issue of toys from China has been overblown. A tiny, tiny fraction of all toys imported have been recalled from China, but as usual, the repetition of the story has inflated the issue. Everyone is stating the danger of importing lead-tainted toys, but few are actually stating the actual size of the problem, which is very small. It does make for good ratings in the news media.
Why are there not more toys made in the USA? Well, would you work for $1 a day in horrid conditions to make tots so that people in Wal-Mart can buy them cheaply?! Probably not. Lead in toys is bad but shouldn't we also talk about the slaves (yes, these people are economic slaves) we have in China that make them?
I'd like to know how many toy trains a child needs to eat before they have enough lead in their system to result in developmental harm. I know that kids will put all kinds of things in their mouths, but these are not lead-painted lollypops and lead paint is not something that can be licked off. I am much more concerned about the children in China who are making these toys than the children who are apparently being fed these toys.
GIVING BOOKS!
I was shopping on Black Friday for my niece with my sister and realized that almost all the products at Toys r Us and Walmart toys are from China.
Some of them actually have been recalled. I really think these toy makers are waiting till after the holiday season to recall these toys.
Something is FISHY here. I feel awful for the children making these toys.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.