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California Concerned About What Lurks Within Bouncy Castles
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True, Health & Safety: Big Kids
Is the party over for bouncy castles? Credit: Getty Images
OK, so doom might be a bit of an overstatement. However, the state of California insists lead levels in inflatable bouncy castles for children pose a significant threat. They are filing a lawsuit against a number of bouncy moguls.
The lawsuit, according to The New York Times, claims some bouncy structures have lead content dozens of times past the federal limit.
"I was surprised," California Attorney General Jerry Brown tells The Times. "But as we test more and more of these products, we find dangers."
Some defendants suspect a political motive behind lawsuit. Brown, once known as "Governor Moonbeam" for his starry-eyed musings about space exploration, is trying to get his old job back in November.
Robert Field, the senior vice president of Cutting Edge Creations Inc. and a defendant in the suit, tells The Times the investigation is a "witch hunt" that could seriously hurt the bouncy industry.
"California already has many financial problems," Field adds. "Do they really wish to potentially place thousands of small-business owners that operate children's party centers out of business?"
However, The Times reports the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland, an advocacy group, tested dozens of bouncy houses. Researchers concentrated on the vinyl that gives them their bounce.
Lead levels in the vinyl reportedly varied from 5,000 parts per million to 29,000, far above the federal limit of 90 to 300 parts per million.
Charles Margulis, a spokesman for the center, tells The Times kids aren't going to die from jumping around bouncy castles. However, he adds, they should wipe their hands and faces afterward.
Dr. Megan Schwarzman, a family physician and an associate director at the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry, tells Times she hasn't seen the test results, but that there was no safe level of lead exposure for children.
"Everyone is exposed from so many different sources," she adds.
Brown tells The Times he wants manufacturers to stop using vinyl containing lead and for rental companies and party places to post warnings about lead in bouncy houses.
"I certainly don't want to be a kill joy here," he adds. "I just think parents should be cognizant."
Related: Opinion: Why I Hate Bouncy Castles
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ReaderComments (Page 4 of 4)
8-14-2010 @ 1:49AM
bhol5 said...We should be seeing dead children all over the place, or at the very least, hospitals running out of beds because of lead poisoning cases. Get real. If I wanted or needed a nanny state I would have voted for one. Just pull all kids in bubbles, made of an appropriate material of course, until they reach 18.
Reply
8-14-2010 @ 3:17AM
Steven R. Russell said...Sue away, California!
That'll certainly bring God's favor upon your State, won't it?
Hellooo! What's wrong with this picture?
Especially nit-pickin' at the small stuff.
Reply
8-14-2010 @ 3:39AM
Brian Workman said...B.S.!!!!!!!!
Reply
8-14-2010 @ 3:39AM
Brian Workman said...Junk Science!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
8-14-2010 @ 5:07AM
SKOOLI said...The only lead I am really worried about right now is the type that flys at 900+ feet per second. I am really allergic to that type!!!!
Reply
8-14-2010 @ 8:04AM
SavageNation said..."California Uber Alles"
I am Governor Jerry Brown
My aura smiles
And never frowns
Soon I will be president...
Carter Power will soon go away
I will be Fuhrer one day
I will command all of you
Your kids will meditate in school
Your kids will meditate in school!
[Chorus:]
California Uber Alles
California Uber Alles
Uber Alles California
Uber Alles California
Zen fascists will control you
100% natural
You will jog for the master race
And always wear the happy face
Close your eyes, can't happen here
Big Bro' on white horse is near
The hippies won't come back you say
Mellow out or you will pay
Mellow out or you will pay!
[Chorus]
Now it is 1984
Knock-knock at your front door
It's the suede/denim secret police
They have come for your uncool niece
Come quietly to the camp
You'd look nice as a drawstring lamp
Don't you worry, it's only a shower
For your clothes here's a pretty flower.
DIE on organic poison gas
Serpent's egg's already hatched
You will croak, you little clown
When you mess with President Brown
When you mess with President Brown
[Chorus]
Reply
3-18-2011 @ 10:58PM
Spanky said...That child in the picture is way to young and under the height requirements be in a bounce castle. The parents or whoever responsible should be arrested for child endangerment.
Reply