The laboratory performed two types of tests; surface lead content with a wipe lead testing kit and total lead content.   The data from these tests showed high levels of lead, according to the Center for Environmental Health. 

Unfortunately, finding lead and other potentially harmful metals in handbags is something that we have noticed since our company (Essco Safety Check) began providing XRF testing services.  In my experience I have found lead in handbags/purses, wallets, backpacks, beach bags and luggage of all different styles and makes (among many other consumer products). 

There are basically two types of these items; natural material and synthetic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  Lead is typically used to make the pigments brighter but it is also an additive to PVC, a stabilizer to prevent hydrochloric acid from forming during the production of PVC.  PVC can be made without lead and other harmful elements, but we do find lead more frequently in the synthetic/PVC materials more than in natural fibers.

It would be wise for women who have young children, a.k.a. woman of “child bearing” age to know what their handbags are made out of.  All too often children will grab a hold of the handbags strap and chew or suck on this part of the handbag.  Children explore in a variety of different ways and specifically with hand-to-mouth contact, we want to make sure what they are putting in their mouths doesn’t contain any harmful toxicants.

According to the laboratory that performed the independent testing, all of the handbags were made in China and in some tested handbags there was 30 to 100 times the total content limit for lead in children’s products.   The Children’s Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) has set total content limits for children’s products at 300 Parts Per Million (PPM) for all products and 90 PPM for painted surfaces.  The results from some of the wipe test kits found lead levels to be more than California permits for a product unless it carries a warning label for cancer and birth defects.

It is important to note that just because a consumer product, such as a handbag, has lead, it does not mean that that consumer product is going to harm anyone.  However, lead is a known toxicant which can cause a variety of different health problems, and if it is present in a consumer product that is used regularly, there is more potential for harm.

Know what is in your environment and mitigate harm.