Yikes—High Levels of Lead Found in Popular Purses
Excuse the small digression, but I thought this was a topic worth tabling. New research done by the Center for Environmental Health has found significant levels of lead in many mainstream handbags, most certainly available at a store near you.
The Center for Environmental Health pulled purses from 100 top retailers to test—everyone from Target to Neiman Marcus and H&M—and found that out of 300 tested, 43 bags contained significant levels of lead.
Some purses, like one from Tory Burch, contained as much as 580 times the amount of lead allowed in children’s toys, which we can only hope is basically none.
According to California law—prop. 65, the same law that busted the Brazilian Blowout—these purses should come with a big fat warning sign.
Burch, who at least had the decency to comment, unlike Guess and others in the hot seat, said that she’s “appalled” and launching a full investigation. Given how disconnected companies are from the far-away factories that make their products, it’s not surprising that brands don’t always know what they’re putting out on the retail floor. But that’s no excuse, since according to this ABC report “hundreds of manufacturers” had already signed an agreement saying they’d limit lead in their products. In other words: They know it’s a problem.
Needless to say, lead is extremely toxic. It shouldn’t be in lipstick (but it is) and it shouldn’t be in the bags we carry all day, everyday—bags that hold all of our goodies, including snacks, and that rub against our skin and possibly our kids. There’s no question this stuff can get into our bodies, and being that lead’s a powerful neurotoxin connected to all kinds of awful, that’s the last thing we want.
In the ABC piece, Michael Green from CEH said that this is one of the highest levels of lead ever found in a consumer product. The worse culprits seem to be brightly colored bags—apparently lead helps them retain color—in plastics and vinyls. They recommend choosing leather instead. So vegans, in this case, be warned.
Of course, this opens up a whole can of worms that we try not to think too much about, regarding the chemicals present in all of our wearables. Is this a rabbit hole you’ve already gone down? And did you have any idea that these plastic purses—and presumably other accessories, like wallets, made from the same materials—were so incredibly toxic?
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I had absolutely no clue!! It’s sad that we have no idea what we are exposing ourselves to on a daily basis, not to mention our family, friends, and even our pets!
Am I missing something? You mentioned in the article to pick leather over plastic or vinyl, yet the photo is of a leather purse. Is there a process that is done to the tanned leather that also contains lead?! Because I don’t think I could part with my favorite purses just yet!
Sorry Claire, the one in the picture is NOT the Burch one. We changed the pic and forgot to change the text. So no worries about your leather purse.
I didn’t know about lead in particular in materials, but for a long time I’ve been concerned about potentially harmful chemicals in things we wear/use. For example, when my son was little I wouldn’t put those fire retardant (toxic!) baby clothes on him. I’m vegan in diet (mainly for health reasons) and I limit my leather products pretty much to shoes, because I haven’t found vegan shoes that support me properly (and I’m a total shoe whore). When vegan bags became a “thing” some of the materials smelled so bad I couldn’t use them and assumed they were toxic, but these days I carry Queen Bee and Urban Junket bags that at least don’t smell toxic. But I guess I just don’t know for sure. I’m sure the treatments on leathers aren’t all safe either. Sometimes I’ll get my Zappos box at my doorstep and have to send the shoes back because the smell is horrendous and does not go away after airing out. I’ve often thought about what’s in my car that’s touching me too – the steering wheel cover and the seats. There’s a lot to think about and I just try to use my nose as an indicator and be as informed as I can.
This is so sad, I had a few purse to buy on my “To Buy List”. I love purses :(
I’m realizing that I’ve been behaving just as I used to before turning into clean beauty products.. Naively trusting that companies would monitor their products before marketing them . I’ve been trusting my nose for the obvious offenders ( cleaning products aisle @ grocery stores , gas stations, tires, fragrance aisles @ department stores, Abercrombie &Fitch, Bath & Body Works, etc ) but until reading this post I had not realized that I could be carrying harm around.. or using it. Sad.
This is shocking and only makes me happier that I choose cotton bags and the such and stay away from plastics.
Claire, leather tanning is pretty disgusting – uses metals – that’s what caused the pollution in A Civil Action. The best option for leather is getting some “eco friendly” leather that is vegetable tanned – probably doesn’t suit vegans, but I am a vegetarian for environmental reasons, and I want to support leather makers who aren’t putting heavy metals into rivers and streams.
Might I suggest a 3rd alternative? Fabric! I have a great purse from Amani Ya Juu (check them out online at http://www.amaniafrica.org), it’s fabric and I wish it didn’t last so long – they have a store here in DC and every season I want one of their new patterns, but my purse is still in good shape! Cotton production and dying can be pretty toxic, too, but doesn’t have lead in it. Plus co-op groups like Amani help people rebuild their lives in Kenya, Rwanda and a couple of other African countries. Check them out!
I read Ecoholic by Adria Vasil a few years ago. A great resource if like me, you live in the rabbit hole. Definitely some feelings of guilt over what I can’t control but on the whole I prefer to be informed.
I am no longer surprised by any chemicals in consumer goods. Transparency about the production of all consumer goods is really what we should be aiming for.
On an unrelated note, I was surprised to see your pictures in this article…
The Montreal Mirror is no more.
http://www.ledevoir.com/societe/medias/353157/l-hebdomadaire-montreal-mirror-ferme
I discovered “fashioning change” a website that gives you sustainable and Eco friendly alternatives to products like clothes, sunglasses, and purses. I think the website is brilliant and a huge help for people who don’t turn a blind eye to the way mainstream products are produced.
I also refuse to use products packaged in plastic as they are toxic and should be banned. Shameful that organic makeup and skincare is sold in plastic.
Shame!