The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) is a great source for information on lead in lunchboxes. In answer to the question “How dangerous are lunchboxes with lead?”, CEH replies, “The levels CEH found in lunchboxes are not high enough by themselves to cause acute lead poisoning during normal use. However, wth prolonged use or if you child is exposed to lead from other sources, a leaded lunchbox would add to their health risk. Because lead has been shown to cause developmental problem in young children at very low levels, CEH beleives it is important to eliminate all controllable sources of lead exposure, including lunchboxes.” In addition, CEH offers a a kit and instructions for testing your lunchbox for lead. These kits are also commonly available at hardware stores. The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has posted two recent articles on lead in lunchboxes:
Are You Poisoning Your Child With a Lead-Tainted Soft Plastic Vinyl Lunchbox?
Consumer Protection Agency Covered Up Risks from Lead in Children’s Lunchboxes
The OCA writes, “Government documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) were released today, revealing that the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) withheld information about high levels of lead found in its testing of children’s vinyl lunchboxes, and falsely claimed that agency tests showed no need for concern.” This investigation began almost two years ago and finally the mainstream press is picking up on this issue. I can’t believe it took a Freedom of Information Act filing to reveal this information. I have no faith in the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). For more information, please see our previous post “More Lead Hazards: Lunchboxes”. Reusablebags.com offers many lead-free lunchbags.