What We Do

Lead in Lunchboxes FAQs

What products did CEH test?

CEH has only tested soft plastic lunchboxes. We don't know whether lead may be present in hard plastic or metal boxes at this time.

How dangerous are lunchboxes with lead?

The levels CEH found in the lunchboxes are not high enough by themselves to cause acute lead poisoning during normal use. However, with prolonged use or if your 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 believes it is important to eliminate all controllable sources of lead exposure, including lunchboxes.

Does my lunchbox have lead?

Not all of the lunchboxes CEH tested contain lead. However, at this time the only way to know for sure is to test the lunchbox yourself, avoid vinyl (PVC) lunchboxes altogether, or buy brands that have reformulated.

How do I test my lunchbox?

You can test vinyl lunchboxes using a hand-held lead testing kit available at most hardware stores. Most brands turn a bright pink color when they are rubbed on a surface containing lead. A clear or orange swab means there is not lead. Parents should rinse the test solution off of a negative box before re-using it.

What do I do if my lunchbox has lead?

If your child's lunchbox tests positive, we recommend that you do not use it any longer. Please send CEH your positive lunchbox so that we can add it to our investigation and notify other parents. Please include your contact information (including email and mailing address), when and where you purchased the box. Boxes can be mailed to:
Center for Environmental Health, 528 61st Street Suite A, Oakland, CA 94609

Are there alternatives to vinyl lunchboxes?

Below is a list of manufacturers that offer vinyl-free lunchboxes. This list is not necessarily all-inclusive.

Reusablebags.com offers several vinyl-free lunchboxes:

Organic and regular cotton bags
"Lunchbugs" cloth lunch bags
CoolTotes insulated bags
EarthPak bags made from recycled soda bottles
SIGG Kids Bags
Lunch Pak by Fleurville
Laptop Lunch Kit
byo lunchbag® by BuiltNY

World of Good offers a hand woven reed lunchbox and is committed to fair trade.

Mimi the Sardine offers vinyl-free water-proof lunchbags online and in Whole Foods stores in the Northwest and Southwest.

Progressive Kid offers EarthPak bags for sale on their website and are committed to social responsibility and environmental awareness.

Did you know...Many electronics recyclers are irresponsible. Click here to learn more about what that means, and what you can do about it.

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Exposing the Toxic Threat from Children's Jewelry (2003-06)

A Center for Environmental Health investigation exposed the threat of lead in children's jewelry. Our lawsuit spurred the largest product recall in U.S. history and led to a landmark agreement with Macy's, Disney, Target, Wal-Mart and over 80 other companies to protect children from unsafe and potentially fatal exposures to lead.

See what else we've accomplished.

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