AUGUSTA – Environmental health advocates say Maine’s new law to ban lead in toys makes the state a national leader.

As of July 2009, the law will ban the sale of children’s products in Maine that contain lead, including toys, child care articles, jewelry and lunch boxes. Current federal regulations bar the sale of products only if lead paint has more than 600 parts per million.

Advocates say the new law has the highest health protective standard in the country.

Gov. John Baldacci joined with lawmakers and other bill supporters Monday to ceremonially put his signature on the bill, which he actually signed into law in April.