Pointing out its members are responding to recent general media coverage and heightened awareness and concern about the damage of lead-based paint in some toys and other consumer products, the Eyewear and Accessories division of the Vision Council of America (VCA) has established a task force to look proactively at the issue of the possibility of the presence of lead paint and coatings in eyewear frames.

James Shyer, chairman of the division and COO of Zyloware, said, "We want to stress that most VCA E&A members do not feel that lead paint is a problem in modern eyewear manufacturing, which most companies already monitor through their own testing, audits and quality-control efforts with their manufacturers.

“The Eyewear division, at its recent meeting in Las Vegas last month, felt the VCA has a responsibility to the industry, retailers and the public to be proactive and explore the issue, and see if there's something we need to do with the guidance of volunteer task force members and VCA's technical staff," he said, adding, "There have been no incidences reported whatsoever; lead is not used in eyeglass frame materials, but the issue is possible lead in paint or coatings. By being proactive, we avoid possibilities of potential problems down the road.”

The task force will include some members of the VCA eyewear and accessories division as well as Jeff Endres, technical manager, VCA.