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Campaigning Californian organisation gets lead out of chips
Chip manufacturer Gaming Partners International (GPI), has signed an agreement undertaking to start making chips that contain no more than 0.0005 percent lead, with effect from 1st November 2008.
A campaigning Californian organisation, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), used Californian anti-toxic laws which require manufacturers to either keep level of toxic chemicals in products acceptably low, or warn consumers of the potential toxicity risks in using them.
Casinos in California can continue using chips with higher levels of lead, but must post notices that say "Gaming chips used at this establishment contain lead, a chemical known to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling the chips."
The agreement was signed by GPI and 21 Californian card room and casino owners - who are understood to have agreed to apply its terms across the USA.
"We are pleased to see the gaming industry taking this step to eliminate lead threats to their patrons and employees," said Caroline Cox, Research Director at the Center for Environmental Health.
