PRODUCT SAFETY LETTER View the entire issue in PDF format. (Print-only subscribers must CLICK HERE to log in.)

CPSC ON PACE FOR 500+ RECALLS AND 600+ SECTION 15s IN FY 2008 Barring an unlikely slowdown, CPSC is set to handle record numbers of recalls and Section 15 reports in fiscal 2008, which ends September 30.

TOOLS ACCOUNT FOR MAJORITY OF NON-FIRE CO DEATHS There were an estimated 195 unintentional non-fire carbon monoxide (CO) deaths in 2005, according to a July 8 CPSC report.

NAVY FINDS PROMISE IN EMERGENCY ESCAPE SYSTEM A report done for CPSC by the Navy and a private company finds promise in automated systems to help building occupants escape in emergencies such as fires.

CPSC DEEMS HEATER TEST EASY AND REPEATABLE A June report from CPSC concludes that radiant flux measurements for electric heaters are easy to obtain, inexpensive, repeatable, and generate quantitative data.

EU/U.S. DELEGATION TO TRAVEL TO CHINA IN SEPTEMBER A joint EU-U.S. product safety mission to China in September 2008 was among the topics discussed at a recent EU meeting on the General Product Safety Directive.

EU TRADE PACKAGE INCLUDES PRODUCT SAFETY A recent package of EU legislation intended to smooth trade among EU member nations includes numerous provisions that will affect product safety.

ANEC WANTS NEW EU AGENCY TO ENFORCE STANDARDS ANEC is calling for an EU agency “to ensure an effective pan-European system of enforcement” of product safety standards.

EUROSAFE SEEKS STRONGER TOY DIRECTIVE EuroSafe is seeking six amendments to the EU Toy Safety Directive, slated for update by September.

CANADA FINDS NINE SUBSTANCES TO BE TOXINS Health Canada July 5 announced that eight chemicals will be classed toxic to human health and one as toxic to the environment.

CANADIAN PANEL SAYS MORE DATA NEEDED FOR NANOTECH More information is needed to assess the health risks of nanotechnology, according to a report conducted for Health Canada.

CDC ASSESSES FORMALDEHYDE IN EMERGENCY TRAILERS A July 2 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links high formaldehyde levels in emergency housing trailers with indoor temperatures and high mold levels.

CPSC BRIEFS Briefs on beds/toy chests, fireworks (2 briefs), canopies, lawnmowers, children's jewelry (4 briefs), CPSC activity, toy caps, coal/wood appliances, CPSC meetings.

OTHER FEDERAL BRIEFS Briefs on refrigerators (2 briefs), formaldehyde, PBDEs, chemical exposure.

RESEARCH & JOURNALS BRIEFS Briefs on safety seats, smoke alarms, golf carts, child injuries.

STANDARDS & TESTING BRIEFS Briefs on desk lamps, air ducts, ice makers, busways, electric tools, furnishing, conduit, building joints, amusement rides, floor covering, material flammability, women's shoes.

CONSUMER ADVOCACY BRIEFS Briefs on fire safety, free trade.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on nightglowns, nanotechnology, bicycles (2 briefs), beds/toy chests, paintball guns, cribs, water pumps, ATVs, heaters, RAPEX.

STATE ACTIVITY BRIEFS Briefs on RIP cigarettes, lead paint, New York, Connecticut, electronics.