I read this on one of my homeschool yahoo groups. I've looked into this on the Consumer Products Safety Page and it's real. What will this do to Paperback Swap? Has anyone else read this? Any ideas? Traci

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The Sale of Children's Books to be BannedOh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming,almost Orwellian, reality.Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale ofall children's books (books intended for children ages 12 andunder) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed priorto the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books inproduction are required to include a "lead-free" certificationand will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.What does this mean to the homeschooling family?Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will becancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to complywith the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to bedestroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books!Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have toclose their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in theruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or processanything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to giveaway or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, howthe libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the rulingdoesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling orgiving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" --libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA hassince made a statement that clothing, books and media are includedin "children's toys".)Just how serious is this new law?Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior tocompliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu-facturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clauseto be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-printbooks. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living booksfrom the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book afterFebruary 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it isa felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become areality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantlyviolating Federal law.)So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore thatsells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business?Or your EBay business selling children's items?

This is from the cpsc website:  http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html

Does the new requirement for total lead on children's products apply to children's books, cassettes and CD's, printed game boards, posters and other printed goods used for children's education?

In general, yes. CPSIA defines children’s products as those products intended primarily for use by children 12 and under. Accordingly, these products would be subject to the lead limit for paint and surface coatings at 16 CFR part 1303 (and the 90 ppm lead paint limit effective August 14, 2009) as well as the new lead limits for children’s products containing lead (600 ppm lead limit effective February 10, 2009, and 300 ppm lead limit effective August 14, 2009). If the children’s products use printing inks or materials which actually become a part of the substrate, such as the pigment in a plastic article, or those materials which are actually bonded to the substrate, such as by electroplating or ceramic glazing, they would be excluded from the lead paint limit. However, these products are still considered to be lead containing products irrespective of whether such products are excluded from the lead paint limit and are subject to the lead limits for children’s products containing lead. For lead containing children’s products, CPSIA specifically provides that paint, coatings, or electroplating may not be considered a barrier that would render lead in the substrate inaccessible to a child.

if you will see the other thread about the lead law it looks like it won't apply to books