Federal Investigation Initiated by Sen. Ossoff Uncovers Gaps in Testing of Kids Toys for Lead

Washington, D.C.— A Federal investigation initiated by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has found critical gaps in the testing of toys and other children’s products that could lead to lead exposure.
Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in response to a2024 inquiryfrom Sen. Ossoff into how the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) conducts testing on products intended for children ages 12 and under for potential lead contamination and other safety hazards.
The report found that the CPSC has failed to review and update its testing requirements for lead despite being required to do so at least every five years. The report also found that the CPSC does not have written procedures for monitoring changes related to toxic substances in children’s products.
“The safety of children in Georgia and across the Nation is one of my highest priorities, and I will continue to push to ensure that lead and other toxins stay out of children’s products,”Sen. Ossoff said.
Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect kids across Georgia.
Last month, the bipartisanAccelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, a billcosponsoredby Sen. Ossoff, was signed into law as part of bipartisan government funding legislation to ensure kids covered by Medicaid in Georgia face fewer delays when receiving specialty care.
Last month, Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisan investigation with Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) into the incarceration of children with special needs in juvenile detention facilitiesuncoveredthat kids with special needs were locked up and incarcerated instead of getting the mental health care they need.
In December, the U.S. SenatepassedSens. Ossoff and Chuck Grassley (R-IA)’s bipartisanPreventing Child Trafficking Act of 2025to strengthen coordination between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to better stop child trafficking and protect kids.
Also in December, Sen. Ossoffurgedthe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reinstate a grant made to Emory University to research children’s exposure to lead, heavy metals, and other contaminants in West Atlanta following thediscoveryof dangerously high levels of lead in some West Atlanta yards.
Last April, Sen. Ossoffdemandedanswers from baby formula producers Abbott Nutrition and Mead Johnson aboutrecent reportsof toxic chemicals found in formula.
In 2024, Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisanREPORT Actwith Sen. Blackburnbecame law, which — for the first time — required websites and social media platforms to report crimes involving Federal trafficking and enticement of children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
In 2023, Sens. Ossoff and Grassley’s bipartisanPreventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023was signed into law, which will strengthen Federal protections against the sexual abuse of children, including online exploitation.
In 2022, Sen. Ossoffpressedthe GAO and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to improve efficiency and coordination in processing product recalls in order to protect families from dangerous products.
Click hereto read the full GAO report.
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