Conclusion Looking back over the past three years, I am proud of the progress in product safety which the Consumer Product Safety Commission, American industry and the American consumer have made together. While much remains to be done, I am confident that progress will continue because of the commitment made by the three members of this partnership industry, the consumer and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In closing, I would like to make special mention of the outstanding work done by an extremely professional and able staff which the Commission is most fortunate to have in its employ. Without them, the progress mentioned above could not have been accomplished. It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission during this new era of public-private sector cooperation, which you initiated. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 1981-1984 Child Safety Recall of 30-million toys which posed a choking hazard in a matter of days by a fast-food chain after a call to CPSC by one consumer. Informed millions of consumers on the selection of safe toys through three consecutive National Holiday Toy Safety Campaigns conducted by the CPSC, business, state and local government and consumer consumer groups. Reduction of childhood deaths from accidental ingestion of aspirin by 74 percent from 1982 to 1984 through safer packaging requirements. CPSC-designed curriculum on Poison Prevention Packaging to be used in nation's pharmacy schools and more than 50 seminars held for pharmacists to address problem of closures on prescription packages. New safety standards for toy chests lid to reduce injuries and deaths. Recalls of portable cribs, walkers, infant seat carriers, pacifiers and toys. New mandatory standards for mesh cribs and playpens, expandable enclosures and bassinettes. Seizure of thousands of dangerous baby rattles and sleepwear items which did not meet flammability standards. Successful litigation against importer of sleepwear which did not meet safety standards. Recall and replacement of up to 239,000 ladders on indoor play gyms because of strangulation hazard. · Recall of 1,800 units of unsafe playground equipment used in day care centers. • Reduction of levels of nitrosamines, carcinogenic agents, in pacifiers from 325 parts per billion to 4 parts per billion through Recreation and School Safety • New standard for swimming pool and hot tub drains to minimize body entrapment, hair entanglement and drownings. Investigate and implement corrective action plan for amusement ride involved in fatal accident; shutdown of two other rides of same type because of similar defects. CPSC Launched program to inform high school science teachers of chronic health effects of laboratory chemicals. Electrical Safety • National Electrical Safety Awareness Program conducted with 70 volunteer and consumer groups and businesses and associations. More than 4-million home electrical audits distributed, most printed by businesses at their expense. Changes in National Electrical Code to require more extensive use of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters to prevent shocks and electrocutions in the home and to upgrade extension cords to reduce fires from overload. CPSC staff designed and fabricated prototypes of miniaturized GFCI's causing several firms to design of a shock protection device small enough to be built into small appliances. · New voluntary standards for safer electric blankets, with 100 percent compliance by the industry. Upgraded standards for hairdryers to reduce the potential of electrical shock. Home Tools New standard eliminate 80 percent of the 26,000 annual injuries from chainsaw kickback. Cooperation of manufacturers indicated by the fact that four-fifths of chain saws now being sold are in compliance before standard takes effect in January, 1985. Mandatory standard for walk-behind lawn mowers requiring 3-second stoppage of blades to reduce 77,000 injuries each year. Settlement with retailer and manufacturer of 220,000 rototillers causing many severe injuries by locking in reverse. Home Heating Mandatory labeling rule for wood-burning heating equipment to reduce 130,000 fires each year caused by improper use, installation and maintenance. New standard requiring automatic shut-off device for gas space heaters and water heaters to reduce the 300 annual deaths from carbon monoxide and other dangerous combustion products. • Improvement of kerosene heaters through standard requiring reduced carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions. Problems with new LP gas cabinet heaters corrected before mass distribution. • Litigation regarding failure several series of gas control valves which have caused fires and explosions. Fire Safety More than 2-million smoke detectors placed in low-income homes at no charge or discount rate through CPSC program with 1,600 communities and 26 states. Industry goal to have 80 percent of upholstered furniture meet new flame retardant standards by 1985. More than 700,000 malfunctioning smoke detectors recalied. CPSC held national conference on fire toxicity for public and private sector organizations. Toxicity of combustion products responsible for two-thirds of the 5,000 annual fire deaths. Indoor Air Quality • CPSC voted to ban urea formaldehyde foam insulation. Reduction of formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood through use of another substance; ongoing study of new problems of indoor pollution. Older Consumers Development of home safety audit administered by trained volunteer safety specialists; pilot tested in two communities; to be launched nationally in FY 1985. Communication, Education and Information Initiated sharing of consumer complaints with manufacturers for verification of information. Began National Product Safety Conferences to encourage feedback from industry, consumers and state and local government. Launched cooperative consumer information programs in electrical safety, toy safety, poison prevention and other critical product safety areas. Introduced "open-door" policy to. stimulate business input at |