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NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC Warns About Worn Vinyl Baby Bibs

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
staff today warned that there is a potential risk of lead exposure from
baby bibs with cracked or peeling vinyl surfaces. This consumer alert
applies only to used bibs that are worn or have deteriorated. Pieces of
vinyl containing lead could pose a hazard to infants if they are
swallowed. CPSC staff recommends that parents and caregivers discard
bibs that are in poor condition to avoid any potential exposure to lead
from swallowed vinyl.

Some vinyl materials, including those used as the front or back of baby
bibs, contain lead (Pb) compounds as part of their formulation. Acting
on information provided by and in cooperation with the New York and
Illinois Attorney Generals' Offices, CPSC recently tested a wide range
of bibs from various retailers nationwide.

The CPSC staff's risk assessment concludes that none of the bibs that
were tested at CPSC's laboratory would pose a risk of substantial
illness to children from mouthing. However, if the condition of a vinyl
bib deteriorates to the point that a baby could pull or bite off and
swallow a piece of vinyl containing lead, then the amounts of lead
consumed could approach levels of concern.

CPSC staff therefore advises parents and caregivers to stop using vinyl
bibs in such condition. In the CPSC staff's view, this step could
effectively prevent any significant risk of exposure to lead from these
products. This precaution would also protect infants from the risk of
choking on loose pieces of vinyl.

CPSC takes the issue of lead exposure very seriously, as lead is toxic
and if ingested by young children can cause adverse health effects, such
as learning disabilities, behavioral problems, growth retardation and
hearing problems. There have been no reported injuries involving these
bibs.

Vinyl baby bibs have been sold through major retailers since at least
2004. They range in price from $2 to $7 and come in packs of up to ten.
The bibs come in colorful designs and have either a vinyl front with a
cloth backing or a cloth front with vinyl backing.

Manufacturers and retailers, in cooperation with the CPSC and the New
York and Illinois Attorneys General, plan to develop clear and effective
guidelines addressing the use of vinyl in children's products.

To see this release on CPSC's web site, including a link to testing
results, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07175.html