Craft and Hobby Supplies, Tools, and Lead Balancing Weights

Craft and Hobby Supplies, Tools, and Lead Balancing Weights

As new legislation and consumer safety standards evolve, manufacturers of tools, recreational equipment, and craft supplies have a responsibility to uphold these regulations and to make the according adjustments to their products. The Chanler Group's clients have found that many craft and hobby products contain detectable levels of phthalates and lead, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm. Consumers often use craft and hobby-related products on a daily basis. Repetitive use of products containing phthalates and lead increases the consumer's exposure to carcinogens and reproductive toxins. 

As a neurotoxin, lead is a highl- toxic heavy metal that affects the nervous system. Children's brains are especially susceptible to the effects of lead.  Research has shown that repeated exposure to lead cumulatively affects the developing nervous system and, over time, can lead to attention deficit, learning disabilities, short-term memory loss, behavioral problems, and diminished intellectual ability. Children under the age of six are most at risk for the developmental problems that can result from lead poisoning, due to their frequent hand-to-mouth behaviors, small body size, and still-developing immune system. 

The Chanler Group's clients have initiated Proposition 65 enforcement actions against, and have obtained numerous settlements from, companies that sell supplies, tools, and lead balancing weights designed for use in crafts and hobbies.  Many of these companies signed agreements to reformulate their products, virtually eliminating the presence of lead, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP"), butyl benzyl phthalate ("BBP"), and Di-n-butyl phthalate ("DBP").

To review legal agreements which The Chanler Group's clients have reached with companies that sell craft supplies, hobby supplies, tools, and lead balancing weights, please see the cases below.

firm casework - enforcement

October 26, 2011
DEHP, Lead
Consent Judgment
On October 26, 2011, the Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Moore v. Pier 1 Imports, Inc., which resolved citizen enforcer John Moore's allegations that the defendant, Pier 1 Imports, Inc. ("Pier 1"), sold vinyl coated tape measures that exposed users to the heavy metal lead and travel bags with zipper pulls which exposed users to...
September 20, 2011
Lead
Consent Judgment
On September 20, 2011, the Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. ColArt Americas, Inc., which resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that the defendant ColArt Americas, Inc. ("ColArt"), sold cases for art supplies containing the heavy metal lead in the State of California without providing the requisite health...
June 13, 2011
DEHP
Consent Judgment
On June 13, 2011, the San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Moore v. Pioneer Photo Albums, Inc., which resolved citizen enforcer John Moore's allegations that the defendant Pioneer Photo Albums, Inc. ("Pioneer") sold books with soft covers containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP") in the State...
May 25, 2011
DEHP
Consent Judgment
On May 25, 2011, the Marin County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Moore v. Westrim, Inc.; et al., which resolved citizen enforcer John Moore's allegations that the defendants Westrim, Inc. ("Westrim") and Creativity, Inc. ("Creativity") sold crafting tools containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP")...
May 25, 2011
Lead
Consent Judgment
On May 25, 2011, the Marin County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. Atico International USA, Inc., et al., which resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that the defendant Atico International USA, Inc. ("Atico") sold vinyl coated measuring tapes and color coated metal fasteners containing the heavy metal lead in the State...
February 1, 2011
Lead
Consent Judgment
On February 1, 2011, the Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Brimer v. Wilton Industries, Inc.; et al., which resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that the defendants Wilton Industries, Inc. and Wilton Brands, Inc. (collectively, "Wilton") sold coated decorative staple bars containing the heavy metal lead in the...
October 11, 2010
Cadmium, DEHP, Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On October 11, 2010, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling defendant Kingsbridge International, Inc. ("Kingsbridge") entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Brimer's allegations that Kingsbridge sold tape measures containing the heavy metal lead and vinyl automobile accessories and glassware containing cadmium and the...
July 15, 2010
BBP, DBP, DEHP, Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On July 15, 2010, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling defendant Alvin & Company, Inc. ("Alvin") entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Brimer's allegations that Alvin sold flexible curve drawing products and vinyl cutting mats, erasers, measuring tapes, vinyl or vinyl trimmed pencil pouches, and boardcover vinyl rolls...