Toddler Possibly Poisoned By Lead Paint From Plates

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Gephardt Report May Lead To New Federal Law

Last Update: 12/12 11:24 pm

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Gephardt Report May Lead To New Federal Law


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Toddler Possibly Poisoned By Lead Paint From Plates
Lead Plate Story Getting National Attention
SALT LAKE CITY - A recent news report by 2News investigative reporter Bill Gephardt appears to have been the driving force behind a possible new federal law requiring dinnerware makers to put warning labels on plates that contain lead.

Gephardt brought forth the issue a few weeks ago after it was discovered that in some cases, lead began leaking from brand new plates. Currently, there is no law requiring plate manufacturers to inform buyers that the metal is contained in their dinnerware. Now, that may change.

Utah Rep. Jim Matheson (D) has endorsed a proposal that would require all manufactuers to put warning labels on plates that contain lead.

"I microwave food on my ceramic dishes and I have a 2-year-old. I worry about that," Rep. Matheson said. "When I heard about this, I said 'There's got to be a better way and at a minimum, we should be labeling these products."

Before departing for Washington, D.C. this week, Rep. Matheson requested for copies of Gephardt's news reports about the lead issue so that he can show them to members of Congress.

If the proposed labeling law is passed, 'any ceramic plate, dish, bowl or other container intended for use with food that contains lead content shall bear a label,' the legislation says.

Matheson was scheduled to address the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday morning and ask its members to change the current federal law, which does not require dinnerware manufacturers to label plates made with lead.

Lead can be a dangerous material, causing severe brain damage in some cases. During Gephardt's report, more than one infant of breast-feeding mothers tested positive for high levels of lead after the women ate off the dangerous dinnerware.

In November, dozens of 2News viewers took their dinnerware to the KUTV studio to be tested. Almost a third of the dinnerware we examined tested positive for lead.

MORE LEAD PLATE TESTING:
Thursday, Dec. 13
Weber County Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(Limit 5 items per person)
Administered by the Weber-Morgan Health Department / Utah Division of Air Quality

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