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print this pageLunch boxes
In 2005, U.S. government scientists tested 60 soft vinyl lunchboxes and discovered 1 in 5 contained unsafe amounts of lead and several had obscene levels of lead with the highest levels registering at 9,600 parts per million.1 The lead was found in the polyvinylchloride or PVC of these lunchboxes and the plastic linings contained high levels of lead2.
In response, the FDA issued a letter in 2006 stating that lead and lead compounds are not authorized for use in food-contact articles such as lunchboxes3. However, more lunchboxes were recalled a year later.
In July of 2007, Consumer Reports conducted their own tests which confirmed that small amounts of lead can transfer to hands and to unwrapped food stored inside the lunchboxes. They also concluded that if the lunchbox were used normally, it would not generate a high enough exposure to cause severe lead poisoning. However, they determined that cumulative exposure was a concern and that parents should reduce risks by minimizing needless exposures.
There are several sources for lead-free lunchboxes online and a wide variety of styles. Lunchboxes.com has tested a huge assortment of lunchboxes for lead and assures the products they carry are lead free. http://www.reusablebags.com/store/lunch-bags-lead-free-bags-c-4_15.html?osCsid=12e53ca00fedc1b6008eaee261a6c177 carries some interesting lunchboxes including lunch bags made out of organic cotton that your children can decorate and have their own unique bag as well as laptop lunches which compartmentalize your child’s lunch in BPA free containers. If you’re concerned about BPA, http://www.reusablebags.com/store/reusable-bottles-c-19.html also has some BPA free drink containers including some made from non-leaching plastic and stainless steel.
Backpacks
Right before Christmas of 2007, the CPSC announced backpack recalls including Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, Disney's "High School Musical", Thomas and Friends, & Hello Kitty's Chocolate4. The Dora backpack had ten times the legal limit for lead in paint, while others have twenty times or twenty-five times the legal limit for lead in paint5. Choosing a vinyl free backpack is one way of getting peace of mind. There are a number of them available including some made from 100% hemp including Nubios Organics, Pure Hemp Backpack or the kids messenger backpack from http://www.progressivekid.com/shop/ecopacksandbags.aspx or personalized rolling lead-free backpacks from http://www.mybambino.com/rollingbackpack.html
Pencil Pouches
The CPSC issued a recall for over 84,000 children’s pencil pouches sold by school supply distributors in schools nationwide due to excessive lead in the zippers of the pouches. The supplies were sold from September 1997 through October 2007. The recall was for pencil pouches called “Stuff Keepers” and “Bear Pencil Pouches” style number 63525 and 67221, respectively.
An alternative for younger children is the Personalized Pencil Box available on My bambino http://www.mybambino.com/smpencilbox.html. The states that all the paint is certified lead free.
For older children, a simple clamshell design pencil case that is available at most retailers will not contain zippers or paint that can contain lead.
Bookmarks
In October of 2007, over 350,000 bookmarks were recalled due to excessive lead. The “Cool Clip” and “Mini-Cool Clip” bookmarks were made of metal and sold for around $4 each.
Safer alternatives include paper bookmarks, leather bookmarks or if your child really enjoys the metal bookmarks Scot’s Den out of Florida has a large assortment available on their website that are made from lead-free pewter. http://www.scotsden.com/catalog/Jewelry/QTM/Bookmarks/Index.htm
Notebooks
Wire-O Bound Journals and Calendars were recalled in March of 2008 due to excessive lead in the metal spiral bindings. If you are concerned about lead in your child’s notebooks, you can check them using a lead check test kit or use loose-leaf paper or even composition notebooks which do not have metal binding.
Binders and folders
A bulk of the binders available are made from vinyl which can contain lead6. One suggestion is to look for the Rebinder and Repocket which are made from recycled cardboard. They are available from the Sustainable Group’s website. http://www.sustainablegroup.net/order.html.
4 Cpsc.gov
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