Good News From Nepal

ELAW partner Ram Charitra Sah sends good news for children in Nepal:

Effective January 16, the Government of Nepal prohibits the import, distribution, and sale of children’s toys contaminated by 12 toxic chemicals, including cadmium, mercury, arsenic, phthalates, and lead.

“Thanks to guidance from ELAW Staff Scientist Mark Chernaik, our new standards include effective monitoring and testing mechanisms,” writes Ram, the Executive Director of the Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED).

Children who play with toys contaminated with toxic metals are at risk of suffering lasting impacts, including reduced intelligence.

Nepal’s new standards are now in line with those of Europe and the U.S.

Ram visited Eugene in November for an ELAW Fellowship. He worked closely with Mark and the rest of the ELAW team to advance his work protecting children in Nepal from toxic chemicals.

Congratulations Ram!

For more information about ELAW’s work in Nepal and around the world,  please contact:

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director

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