Purse Too Heavy? Get the Lead Out

Posted Jun 25th 2009 at 5:00PM by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts)

Filed under: News

Is possible lead in purses the breaking point for retailers? Photo: Getty Images

We've worried about lead in toys, and of course, in paint, but now according to the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland, Calif, we have to beware of lead in our purses, too.

SFGate reports that the group filed suit yesterday (June 24) against 16 retailers (including popular retail chains including Target, H&M, Forever 21, and Kohl's).

At least 26 brands are accused of manufacturing products (mostly made of vinyl or faux leather) that contain a level of lead high enough to pose a health risk when touched or handled. Lead poses a particularly dangerous for pregnant women and young children.

This certainly isn't the Center for Environmental Health's first rodeo. It sought legal action against the use of lead in jewelry, herbal remedies, vinyl toys and clothing, and has lobbied to end the use of lead in the weights that balance car tires. The focus always remains on the retailers, though, as the group sees them as the key to keeping consumers safe.

Jim Sluzewski, a spokesman for Macy's, told Mercury News that, although the company wasn't aware of any ill health effects from its purses and fully expected the suppliers to follow state, laws, "[W]e are taking the Center for Environmental Health's claims very seriously and will work with our suppliers to address the issue."

You can find the list of brands the group has accused of high lead levels here. How concerned are you about a handbag's possible lead content? Will it factor into your fashion choices? Tell us below in a comment.

Tags: center-for-environmental-health-in-oakland, handbags, hazardous, health-risk, lawsuit, lead, lead-in-purses, pregnant-women, purse, retailers

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Dr. John 6-26-2009 @ 10:23AM

It's irrelevant that retailers "haven't heard of any reports of any buyers suffering health problems" from lead exposure, because the most serious problems, neurological damage including dementia, cognitive decline, and chronic depression and volatility among others, may not be manifest until years after significant exposure to lead. The only really relevant piece of information is the level of available lead in the items. If it's there in amounts declared to be hazardous, the items should be removed. Dr. John

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pj 6-26-2009 @ 10:55AM

Thanks for info - yes it will factor

jan 6-26-2009 @ 10:44AM

When will we learn that the government has no interest in protecting us. They are more interested in maintaining good relations with China and allow anything that comes in from China without a thought for our safety and welfare. And everything we buy...look at it...it's from China.What a disgrace. At one time in history everyone wanted to come to America. I'm not so convinced at this point in time that it is the promised land...the land of opportunity.

Walter Conner 6-26-2009 @ 11:12AM

It is the land of the free-B's and hand-outs now, Jan. People want to get out of thier countries and come to America and turn America into thier country(langauge, speech, written signs and press one for english and all phone calls

Bruce Tidwell 6-26-2009 @ 10:49AM

The question is how much lead could a wearer actually absorb?? It seems like "lead exposure" has become the fashionable health panic of the day. Of course it can be potentialy serious. On the other hand even radioactive materials have "safe levels." In a few years nobody will be thinking about lead anymore.

Jo 6-26-2009 @ 11:00AM

With all the crap we import from China, is that supposed to be a surprise? Big news? Something unexpected? I go out of my way not to buy stuff made in China and it's getting more and more difficult.

John 6-26-2009 @ 2:12PM

We also avoid anything with a "made in china" label, even though 'most everything around has them. Usually things cost a bit more, but sometimes we've been surprised and paid less for a US or German made item...

Flo Thibeaux 6-26-2009 @ 11:16AM

Heavy metals can certainly do harm, and I will take heed about the lead. However, most people don't think twice about having mercury injected into them via a vaccine. It's a neurotoxin, people, and it's called thimerosal Think. Ask questions. In fact, question everything these days.

Cel 6-26-2009 @ 11:19AM

Bruce, lead has been an issue since the dawn of civilization. The last time "no one cared anymore" was after the fall of the Roman Empire, as it is one of the leading theories as to the fall. But Jan is right: the government doesn't care one lick, and to be honest, they're not really supposed to. We're supposed to care for ourselves. Why let someone else make decisions for you about your health? What we really need is a take-home lead testing kit.

Jan 6-26-2009 @ 12:53PM

When one questions the quantity of lead, I/m not so sure that that particular point about one item. You take all of the items and place them in the environment....it's not only handbags, it's toys, etc..., and expose people to it in the environment and all that they come in contact with, over time it has to signicantly impact us....and we are trying to starve off dimentia and alsheimers, perhaps with all this lead, from China, maybe we are fighting a losing battle.

Liz 6-26-2009 @ 11:29AM

I have worked in the handbag industry for over 25 years. First of all, the levels of lead are most definately not at a level to cause harm to an adult with normal use. Secondly, people should use common sense and not give handbags, purses, wallets, etc. manufactured for adults to children to assume them, pacify them, etc. This seems to be to me the only method by which a child could come to some harm through repeated ingestion or "sucking" on these products. The entire industry - China manufacturers included have all been actively pursuing best practices for several years now to get the lead ( and other harmful chemicals) out. As an aside, it really burns me up when some of you go on about "chinese made" products and how inferior they are etc, etc....you should know that many many AMERICAN's are involved with the design, planning, purchasing, testing, quality control, etc...we have had a mutually beneficial relationship with chinese manufacturers for years, ever since American workers decided they would rather sling burgers for a living and factory owners had trouble competing for workers. Do you think the chinese just fill containers full of product and force them on the american consumer, be real. Finally, the method by which this non-governmental agency CEH goes around detecting lead is not a completely acceptable method for determining lead levels. They should be forced to purchase several of each product they want to test, submit to an independent lab and await 2 or more weeks to receive the results via EPA3051, which is the method by which manufacturers determine lead content and which most major retailers require. Finally, the CEH deals with PROP 65 which is a labeling law, nothing related to CPSC edict whihc is to protect chilren by monitoring children's products. This entire issue is just another hyped-up media scare tactic. I quote a "recognized authority on chemical testing" regarding the results from a "Lead detection Gun"

In short he does not believe that the results from this device are accurate on 2 accounts.
A) The device measures does not differentiate between coating and substrate.
B) The technique used may impact the reading.

He also has a concern about the knowledge of persons using such devices and their ability to interpret any result , which is probably valid.
Thanks for your time.

John Brown 6-26-2009 @ 12:10PM

I think Liz must have stock in a company that has moved to China, that has assured her more for her investment.

mike 6-26-2009 @ 12:17PM

Since the testing regulations have been changing so fast in the last year, did they know the date of manufacture? The product could have passed inspection last year but not today.

Sara 6-26-2009 @ 3:23PM

Thank you for taking the time to give us a window into your knowledge. How can anyone who does not walk in your shoes actually comment on what you do or how you do it? They can't. Neither can the media. Headlines like this give good journalism a bad name. There are bad apples creeping into every single aspect of everyday life. I doubt the Nine West purse in my posession right now is filled with lead. If it is, well then I happen to be one of the percentage of victims to the quite possibly vicious game of someone in the manufacturing plant. Or it is it possible that everyone over seas is not actually trying to sabotage the USA and they are actually human and they do actually make mistakes...? Don't assume you know what's going on unless you've worn the shoes (lead-filled or not) of the person going through it first hand. Accept the things you cannot change, change the things you can, and LEARN TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. Shame on the media for their tactics.

mamabearkmm 6-26-2009 @ 11:44AM

If there is a problem with these faux-leather handbags, is there also a problem with these brands of shoes? When are companies going to realize that we consumers deserve to be halthy... regardelss of their bottom line??? I find this disgusting and despicable.

Lori 6-26-2009 @ 11:55AM

Nobody has said anything about what we do if we have a purse from one of the listed companies ?? Do we take them somewhere to be tested, return them to the store where purchased or WHAT ???!!!

Dani 6-26-2009 @ 1:25PM

Thats what I want to know! I have small children in my home and when you have a bag on your arm and you're trying to carry your child how do they not come in contact with it. Do we return them to the store, do we have to take them somewhere to dispose of them? We can't throw them away if they contain lead so what do we do?

natosha 6-26-2009 @ 2:50PM

I was just thinking the same thing, I have a 15 mo old son, and im also 6 mo preggers, and being tired of dragging around a heavy diaper bag, I bought a large purse from walmart, the walmart brand of course because well, its a bit cheaper for just carryin around half my stuff and half the BABY"S stuff in it. his snacks and drinks, diapers. it says is dangerous for preggers women and children, what about me carrying this thing around everywhere, and giving my son food that was carried in it? do I bring it back to the store? do I throw it away? what? they say oh it doesnt cause bad effects, if not why the hell is it on the news or possible recall?