Study Finds Lead in Handbags Purchased From Major Retailers

Posted on June 20, 2012

ABC News reports that a new study by The Center for Environmental Health has found lead in handbags, wallets and other accessories purchased from Bay Area retailers. Federal law limits lead in children's products, but there is no federal standard for lead in adult handbags or wallets.

Caroline Cox, Research Director at CEH, says, "While we are seeing fewer problems at some retailers, our recent testing shows there are still far too many lead-tainted handbags on store shelves. We expect companies to clean up the problems and do more to insure that women are not exposed to a toxic metal from carrying a purse."

CEH says it has purchased and tested nearly 300 handbags, purses, wallets, and clutches from Bay Area outlets of major retailers and online retail outlets since February. The CEH says lead-tainted handbags or other accessories were found at 21 retailers. More than 300 parts per million (ppm) of lead were found in materials used in 43 products. Ten of the 43 products were found with materials containing lead levels in excess of 10,000 ppm. CEH says its lab testing of one Tory Burch brand wallet from Neiman Marcus found 58,700 ppm of lead in, more than 195 times higher than the 300 ppm standard.

ABC News says the lead findings come despite previous agreements by labels to reduce lead in accessories. Designer Tory Burch says she was appalled by the finding in the wallet. Take a look:



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