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.
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