Why do some people say CPSIA requires book burning?
While CPSIA does not require that books be destroyed specifically by burning, it leaves few viable options other than the destruction of books published before 1985 (all inks used in post-1985 publishing are known to be lead-free). Because CPSIA-required testing destroys the book being tested, it is impossible for libraries and used book sellers to test their pre-1985 children’s collections without destroying them.
Libraries also cannot sell off their pre-1985 collections at book sales because they have not been tested. This leaves libraries only the option of destroying their pre-1985 collections or restricting their checkout to people 12 and older. Used book sellers would either have to warehouse the books until they become antiques unsuitable for children’s use or collectibles that sell for a high price, a practice that requires productive selling space to be repurposed for storage only. Because libraries and used book sellers have limited resources, if they cannot afford to keep such a collection or implement such a checkout policy they will have no choice but to destroy the books.
