Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

Yesterday, Public Justice, a national public interest law firm, sent a letter to CBS officials, asking the giant media corporation to do the right thing by taking immediate and appropriate action to safeguard children. In an E-lert today, Public Justice Executive Director Arthur Bryant stated:

At ADAO's request, Public Justice is now taking action to protect children and the public from this deadly threat. Yesterday, Public Justice sent an urgent letter to CBS, which licenses the toy in conjunction with its popular "CSI" series; Planet Toys of New York, the distributor; and key retailers nationwide seeking an immediate meeting to determine how these companies are going to protect children and others from potentially-fatal exposure to asbestos. The letter raises the possibility of an immediate recall, refunds for customers, and a plan for the safe disposal of the asbestos-tainted powder. The risk here is particularly grave because the asbestos-contaminated toy is already in powder form and, incredibly, the directions call for users to blow on the powder or dust it away, so any asbestos contaminant is almost certain to be inhaled and widely disseminated.

The Public Justice letter, signed by Bryant, says that although the problem can be solved without litigation, "ADAO will be forced to take alternative steps" if CBS and the other addressees do not respond by 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, December 17. "Immediate action is needed to prevent further potential exposure to a deadly toxin," Bryant wrote. "We are eager to work with you to avoid ...disaster, but we must act quickly." Two weeks ago, CBS appeared willing to act -- but only after it has conducted its own tests. Schneider reports in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

CBS Consumer Products responded quickly when told of the reported contamination. "We've asked our licensee to immediately conduct an independent test in the U.S. for asbestos. If the toy is determined to be unsafe, then we will insist that the licensee remove it from the market," a statement from a CBS spokesman said. The manufacturer and distributor -- Planet Toys in New York City -- said in an e-mail that it frequently inspects the plants in China that make the CSI toys. "The kit has been tested and has met all safety standards requirements as set by toy safety agencies and legislation, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission," a spokeswoman said, but added, "The agencies don't require asbestos testing and therefore we have never been apprised of any unacceptable levels of asbestos."

Three Actions You Can Take Immediately

Action 1: If you would like to call Jane Lee, one of the three executive assistants for Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS Corporation, her direct number is 323-575-2600. Please remember that a polite call is more persuasive. You may wish to remind CBS that one independent lab has already tested the best-selling toy, and that if the corporation were properly concerned about protecting children during this holiday season, it would remove the reportedly deadly product first -- immediately -- and then conduct additional testing at its leisure.

Action 2: Write your U.S. Senators and Representatives and tell them that the Consumer Product Safety Commission should start testing toys for asbestos. Our children's health and safety is too important to be entrusted to Chinese officials and mega-corporations who profit from marketing dangerous toys and benefit even more when the understaffed and demoralized CPSC turns a blind eye.

Action 3: Send a thank you to ADAO for safeguarding America's children, and better yet, consider making a special donation via PayPal.

'We naively believe that the government is protecting us, when it's not.'

Schneider writes:

The CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, two brands of children's play clay, powdered cleanser, roof sealers, duct tapes, window glazing, spackling paste and small appliances were among the products in which asbestos was found by at least two of three labs hired by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. The group, which was created in 2004 by asbestos victims and their families, spent more than $165,000 to have government-certified laboratories examine hundreds of consumer products over 18 months to determine whether asbestos was present. It is unusual for a group of volunteers, many of whom have asbestos-caused diseases, to fund research that impacts public health. "We had to. No one else was doing it," said Linda Reinstein, the group's co-founder and executive director. "This is information that consumers and Congress must have because asbestos is lethal and we naively believe that the government is protecting us, when it's not."

Disclosure: I am a former Communications Director of Public Justice but am not on its payroll and do not act as its agent.

UPDATE: Les Moonves' assistant has directed me to Liz Kalodner, Executive Vice President and General Manager for CBS Consumer Products, 212-975-7795. When asked about a potential recall of the CSI fingerprint kit, an assistant at her office says, "All that is up for review right now; I can't comment, but Liz might be able to comment." I gave my number, and will update you when and if I hear back from CBS.