Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Center for Environmental Health conducted testing on faux leather purses, wallets, tote bags, and other accessories and discovered that many of these products contain lead levels exceeding state standards in California. The testing was done on products from 21 major retailers, including Macy’s, Wal-Mart, and Whole Foods. Of these 21 retailers, only five did not sell products containing excessive lead. Lead exposure is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and memory impairment, as well as possible neurological damage in unborn children, as reported by the National Institutes of Health.
Yellow-colored products were some of the most toxic, due to the high levels of lead in yellow dye. Researcher director Caroline Cox suggested purchasing safer alternatives, such as products that are black or made of natural materials like canvas or leather. "With safer materials available, there's no reason that anyone should be selling these lead-tainted products," Cox said.
California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 requires that businesses post warnings when selling products containing any of the hundreds of substances listed as causing cancer or reproductive harm, such as lead. Macy’s claims it hasn't received any reports of adverse health effects from lead in the products they are selling, and they are looking into the matter. Companies selling these lead-laden purses, wallets, and other accessories have 60 days to address the issue, after which legal action can be taken by the Center for Environmental Health.
-Pooja Verma
Purses, Wallets Have Too Much Lead, Enivronmental Group Says (by Suzanne Bohan, Contra Costa Times)
Pretty but Poisonous: Lead in Handbags and Wallets (Center for Environmental Health) (PDF)
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