Federal Officials Announce Seizure of Millions of Illegal Imported Fireworks During Operation Eastern Thunder

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chairman Terrence Scanlon today announced the seizure of approximately 7 million units of illegal fireworks, with a domestic retail value of nearly 1 million dollars, during the course of Operation Eastern Thunder, Baltimore, one of the major ports covered in this operation, was, the site of 19 individual seizures involving-almost 1.2 million fireworks having a domestic retail value in excess of one quarter million dollars.

Operation Eastern Thunder targeted selected East Coast ports ranging from Philadelphia, PA to Miami, FL. It is the third major joint effort between the CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service in recent months aimed at stopping the importation of dangerous fireworks with such things as improper warning labeling, unstable bases, defective fuses and/or powder overloading. Impetus and assistance were also provided by the U. S. Coast Guard.

According to Chairman Scanlon, the fireworks seized in Operation Eastern Thunder will not enter U.S. commerce this year and pose a safety hazard to Americans, especially young children. Previously, domestic fireworks surveillance efforts were limited to individual retail outlets.

"We have taken enforcement of U.S. Government safety standards from. the roadside to dockside in an effort to be more effective," Scanlon added. "This new, point of entry approach is a more efficient means of intercepting illegal imported fireworks before they reach the hands of consumers. Our efforts should help make the 4th of July safer this year."

"Furthermore", continued Scanlon, "this cooperative interagency program has served notice that the importation of unsafe products will not be tolerated, and that the agencies involved are determined to protect the American public from unsafe products. We intend to continue to stop illegal fireworks from entering this country whenever and wherever we find them."

Over 9,000 injuries associated with fireworks were treated in hospital emergency rooms during 1987. Almost half of these injuries were to children. In 1986, there were an estimated 12,600 injuries associated with fireworks treated in hospital emergency rooms. Approximately two-thirds of the fireworks used annually in the United States are imported.

A list of the items seized, the importers, and the nature of the violation involved in Operation Eastern Thunder is attached.

For more information call CPSC Media Relations, Washington, D.C. (301) 492-6580 or the CPSC Philadelphia Office media representative, David Stewart, (215) 597-9105.

Following is a list of fireworks which were seized recently by the U.S. Customs Service in Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA., Charleston, SC, and Miami, FL. Testing by the Consumer Product Safety Commission indicated that these products violate safety regulations for fireworks established by the mission.