Study: Some Purses Contain Poison - Lead In Plastic, Vinyl Could Be Harmful

[The Straight Story]

Study: Some Purses Contain Poison
Lead In Plastic, Vinyl Could Be Harmful

POSTED: Friday, May 8, 2009
UPDATED: 10:58 pm EDT May 8, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A new study has found dangerous levels of lead in popular purses and wallets.

The Center for Environmental Health in California, the same watchdog group that exposed lead in toys and baby products, tested dozens of purses and wallets from major retailers and made the discovery.

Some of the affected purses tested up to 90 times higher than the federal limits of lead allowed in paint, and Local 6 News found many of the bags on shelves in local stores during an undercover investigation.

"I didn't know they could make them with lead. I thought they were made with plastic," a woman said.

The plastic or vinyl in the purses may contain the toxin

The biggest concern over the bags are with pregnant women. The Center for Environmental Health said expectant mothers should avoid the purses and keep them away from babies and young kids. Lead can be ingested and absorbed through the skin.

List of purses:
http://www.ceh.org/storage/cehca/documents/accessory_bag_report.pdf

http://www.clickorlando.com/health/19409179/detail.html#-

[glowing]

1. Seriously, I really think China is trying to kill us. If we are all sick, who

fights their imperial rise.. So they fatten us, poison us, and take away jobs.. which leave us even more dependent on their cheap wares.

[madaboutharry]

2. That is a very interesting analysis.

It does seem that way.

[glowing]

3. At some point you have to wonder how deliberate this all is.

[dipsydoodle]

7. What exactly is it

that MAKES you, or anyone else come to that ,buy their stuff ? From what you say - YOU are making youself sick from buying such products unless you're being forced to buy under duress.

[FarCenter]

4. Lead based compound stabilizer(Artificial Leather)

http://www.tradevv.com/chinasuppliers/jingxingroup/products-detail/china-Lead-based-compound-stabilizer-Artificial-Leather-3d44d.html

Detailed Product Description

Introduction:
JX-01 is lead based compound stabilizer containing internal and external lubricants. It is used for producing artificial leather. It has excellent processing performance for calendaring molding. It will not effect the flatness, bright and clean, even thickness of the product when the filling material has a fluctuation. Often, do not need to add other lubricants.

Index:
Appearance: White powder
Lead oxide (PbO), 58.0%±0.5%
Volatile ≤1.0%

Addition quantity:
According to the different equipments of calendars, suggests add 4-6 phr in each 100 phr PVC resin.

Package:
Plastic compound bag, lined with a PE bag, 25kg weight.

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Probably a lot more suppliers than this one.

[FarCenter]

5. Isn’t lead, used as a stabiliser in PVC, poisonous?

http://www.pvc.org/PVC.org/FAQ/Isn-t-lead-used-as-a-stabiliser-in-PVC-poisonous

Lead-based stabilisers used within PVC formulations are immobilized in the plastic matrix in much the same way as they are within traditional glass products made from lead crystal, and lead compounds will not be released during the service life of the articles.

The Risk assessment on lead shows that the use of lead stabilizers is safe to the consumers.

Despite this absence of identified risks, ESPA and EuPC committed in 2000 to replace lead stabilisers by 2015. Based on intensive effort and significant investment, the first interim target of a 15 percent reduction was achieved in 2004 - one year ahead of the original schedule. 2007 industry statistics indicate that the phase out has now reached around 35%. The next target is a reduction of 50 percent in 2010. The commitment to phase out lead stabilisers by 2015 was confirmed and extended to the EU 25 in April 2006.

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It appears that lead oxide and other compounds containing lead have been the standard stabilizer for PVC. They are being replaced by other stabilizers containg calcium/zinc and other metals.

Lead can be expected in polyvinyl chloride plastics quite generally, although it should not be present in some products, such as PVC pipe carrying drinking water in household plumbing.

[SoCalDem]

6. Whew.. I am glad to be a purse-snob

Only leather purses for me.. My favorite? A glove-leather one from Italy.. Paid waaaaay too much, but I do Love it:)