Suffolk County Toxic-Free Toys Bill Signed Into Law

On Tuesday, June 2nd Suffolk County passed the Toxic-Free Toys Act unanimously. The bill will prohibit the sale of children’s toys that contain unsafe levels of six hazardous chemicals: antimony, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, lead, and mercury. This is a huge victory for children and parents in Suffolk County.

Legislator Kara Hahn introduced the bill after NYLCVEF’s report with Clean & Healthy New York found products containing carcinogenic components on the shelves in stores across Long Island. Despite the Chemical Industry Lobbyists calling our reports “junk science” and trying to scare legislators into believing that they would be sued if they passed the bill, all 16 lawmakers voted in favor of this important bill.

“Toxic chemicals have no place in children’s toys, and they should not be on store shelves for sale,” said Marcia Bystryn, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “I applaud bill sponsor Kara Hahn and the Suffolk County Legislature for sending a clear message to parents that they deserve the right to know what dangers are lurking in the products they bring home.”

Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone signed the bill into law on Tuesday, June 23rd.

Suffolk County joins Albany and Westchester in banning these dangerous chemicals from children’s toys and products.