Lead Paint Test Kits, What Gives?

As if all the recalls and the worries about lead in bibs, Christmas lights, toys, cords wasn't enough-- we have to deal with the recent reports that the test kits themselves are unreliable.

So, I went out in search of information about these test kits. I myself have used the Homax Lead Check test kit several times. The sticks have two points where you crush the internal liquid, and then you swab an item and wait to see if it changes color. The liquid inside is yellow, so don't be alarmed when you see that. What you are looking for is a bright red or fuchsia color. The stick tip changed immediately when I was testing a piece of furniture I was thinking of painting for our baby's nursery (thank goodness I checked!).

It is important to know that these tests only indicate any detectable surface lead. If the lead is under non-toxic paint, it will not come up as positive. In a study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, they concluded that the tests were not reliable at all (see this link). This is very disheartening, especially when the CPSC itself can't seem to stop the influx of lead into products that our families buy and come into contact with everyday. Consumer Reports seems to differ in their opinion of the kit's reliability. They described them as "useful but limited screening tools." I say better than nothing! Consumer Reports rates the Homax Lead Check kit ($8 for two, $18.45 for eight), and the Lead Inspector ($13 for eight) the highest. With the Homox kit, set the sticks aside for two hours to see if there is any color change. The First Alert brand ($13)gave some false negatives, and the Pro Lab Lead Surface ($10) was "less sensitive and more difficult to use," according to Consumer Reports. Check out their full review, although I have shared most of the important information here.

More and more families are seeing an increase in their children's lead levels from exposure to household items and toys that contain lead. See this story in Consumer Reports: New Worries Over Lead . Apparently, my friend is not alone (see post about lead in electrical cords). I found shocking in the story that the cap of an Elmer's gluestick had lead in it, as well as the vinyl lining of a diaper bag.

Non- Toxic Kids recommends: Use the Homax Lead test kits to test for surface lead. If you are really concerned, re-test a few times or get an item tested professionally (contact your local health department). Let the sticks sit for two hours after the test. Test all (if you can!) plastics and vinyl, especially soft plastics and plastics with a shower curtain type feel. I am throwing out (I know, I feel bad about throwing this junk out, too--) any vinyl bags, and soft vinyl plastic teethers and baby toys. And keep reading about the recalls. A Boppy Pillow cover, for crying out loud, was recalled this past week. A nursing pillow cover? This seems so violating--something to help nursing, an act that is so pure and beautiful. I bagged my Boppy cover for testing even though it was not on the recall list, it is older, and has a zipper that could have lead.

Vermont is poised to pass legislation this year that would be the strongest lead control law in the country. I'll be standing up in any way I can to help this along. Stay tuned for more information about how you can help get the lead out.

New Toy Safety Reports--

U.S. PIRG released its 2007 Report, Trouble in Toyland yesterday. It contains very valuable information about toys that are dangerous and still on store shelves for this holiday shopping season. Here is an excerpt from the report:

“There have been an unprecedented 25 million toys recalled from China alone in 2007, many from gold standard toy companies Mattel, Fisher-Price and Hasbro. Most of the toys were contaminated with lead paint; some contained poorly designed powerful small magnets.”

U.S. PIRG found some shockingly hazardous children's items in their research: a Curious George doll with five times the lead limit, a toy cow with more than 50% of legal lead limits, and a piece of children's jewelry that was made of 65% lead (1000 times the legal limit!).

The full report, shares detailed information about specific safety hazards in toys, including magnets, excessive noise, stragulation hazards, toxic chemicals in toys and in children's cosmetics, and lead in toys still available. The report shares the dangers, findings of their studies, and recommendations for each area. At the end of the report, there is a photo guide of toys on store shelves right now that are unsafe in the above categories (this is very helpful--printing this and taking it shopping with you might be a good idea).

Basic recommendations from U.S. PIRG include:

"Be vigilant this holiday season, and remember:
�� The CPSC does not test all toys, and
not all toys on store shelves meet CPSC
standards.
�� Our report includes only a sample of
potentially hazardous toys. Examine toys
carefully for potential dangers before you
make a purchase.
�� Report unsafe toys or toy-related
injuries to the CPSC."

A shorter brochure is available as well, and highlights the basics for parents: what to look for, what to avoid, and what to be aware of.

A recent story in the Washington Post shares how concerned parents can shop for toys and test products right in the store, using a lead paint test kit (the Lead Check brand gets the best reviews--more on this soon), a sound meter, and a choke test cylinder.

This is well researched and studied information for consumers, with policy recommendations for the Consumer Product Safey Comission, and our government, that would help keep all of our kids more safe. I applaud this work and hope that it is helpful to you. Please forward it along to all your family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you and yours a safe, happy and healthy time with your families.