Lead Poisoning Alert Issued for Women’s Purses and Wallets

High levels of lead have been discovered in some women’s handbags, purses, and wallets, particularly brightly colored plastic and vinyl purses. The Center for Environmental Health says some of the items had amounts of the toxin that greatly exceeded the federal lead paint standard. The lead presents a hazard not only to the women who carry these purses because the lead can be absorbed through the skin, but it also presents a significant health risk to young pregnant women and their unborn babies. Lead can enter a pregnant woman’s blood stream and pass through the placenta and harm the unborn child. This lead poisoning may result in low birth weight, stillbirth or miscarriage. In addition, lead poisoning has been shown to cause an increase risk of brain damage, stroke and heart problems. Some of the purses tested were being sold at major retail stores such as Macy’s, Target and Wal-Mart. Manufacturers need to be held accountable for placing dangerous and defective products into the stream of commerce that cause injuries to consumers.