Gov't agency vote to lower lead in toys

WASHINGTON — The amount of lead allowed in toys and other children's products will soon be reduced to one of the lowest limits in the world.

In a 3-2 vote, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has cleared the way for the limit to be cut to 100 parts per million. What that means is that most products for children 12 and under will soon move from being about 99.97% lead free to 99.99% lead free.

Proponents say there's no known safe level of lead, which can cause irreversible brain damage.

But critics, including the two Republicans on the commission, say the amount of allowable lead is already very low and that the move will lead to job cuts and shuttered businesses.