We all have been made aware of the dangers that lead holds for our children through the regulations developed for the paint industry after many children were poisoned by chewing on lead paint.. Did you know that many lunch bags and boxes also carry significant amounts of lead in their lining?
The Center for Environmental Health began testing lunch bags for lead and found bags with levels of lead as much as 90 times the legal limit in the lining of lunch boxes. The
lunch bags in question were imported and had vinyl (or PVC short for Polyvinyl Chloride) linings. It turns out the many of the vinyl factories in Asia are taking a shortcut and using lead to stabilize the vinyl before it is turned into a thin sheet to be used as a lining.
The lead can leach out of the lining into food in the bag and slowly start to poison your child. Lead in even small amounts can impair brain development and result in behavioral and developmental problems. The Center has recently announced that it is filing lawsuits against makers and retailers of soft vinyl lunch boxes that can expose children to harmful levels of lead in an effort to stop this dangerous practice.
Cool Lunch Bags has always carried lead free and vinyl free lunch bags and boxes since we are very concerned with children’s health as well as our environment. Yes, vinyl is also a hazard to the environment both in the production and the disposal of PVC.
Our favorite "lead free" lining is since is nylon which is very safe. As you may know, nylon is even used to make toothbrush bristles. Nylon is much more durable than vinyl, and it is easy to wipe clean every day so there is no buildup of bacteria from left over lunch materials. All the Cool Tote Lunch Bags use the nylon lining.
A second lining which is "lead free" is made from a plastic that is more stable than the PVC and does not have chloride in it's structure. This is PEVA which is short for polyethylene vinyl acetate. Don't confuse the chemical term vinyl in this name with the term vinyl which is a common name for PVC. This lining is also easy to wipe clean.
You may already have a lunch bag with a vinyl and wonder if it is safe to use. Head to your local hardware store and pick up a lead testing kit. Usually found in the paint department, they are not more that several dollars, and can also test paint in your house.