A report published last week by The Tampa Tribune that found reusable bags sold at Publix and Winn-Dixie contained high levels of lead has led to a flurry of announcements by health officials, politicians, the chains and the editorial departments of rival news organizations.
First, health experts told the Tribune and other publications that elevated levels of lead in the paint on the bags might require special handling in their disposal. Simply dropping the bags into a landfill could open the door for lead to find its way into ground water.
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to investigate whether the reusable bags pose a danger.
Sen. Schumer said at a press conference, "Adding insult to injury, guess where most of these bags are made? China, a country that has flaunted safety when it comes to American imports over and over again. Whether it's toys or food or now bags, China has no regard for American safety."
Currently, according to the Tribune, the CPSC allows 300 parts per million of lead in products made for kids. In August, the CPSC will drop the number to 100. Any paint on products intended for consumers can not have any more than 90 parts per million.
The lead levels in the Publix bags tested were within federal limits, although the company has given associates the leeway to make shoppers not satisfied with that explanation happy.
Winn-Dixie, which had bags as high as 121 parts per million, has issued a recall.
"All available research indicates these bags are safe for their intended customer use," said Robin Miller, Winn-Dixie's director of media and public relations, in a statement. "There is a need, however, to look at this from a long-term environmental perspective to determine if the potential exists that these bags cannot be disposed of safely. For this reason, we feel it's better to stop selling them now."
An editorial on The Florida Times-Union website took issue with the initial report and reaction to it. According to the Times-Union, short of eating the bag, children had little to fear and landfills were safe because the bags' lining would prevent any lead from seeping into the ground water. "Maybe some experts need to find something constructive to do in life instead of trying to scare overprotective parents," it suggested.
Consumer Reports offered another take. "There doesn't seem to be any proof that reusable bags pose an immediate health threat, either in our limited screenings or in any of the cited studies, which tend to focus on concerns that lead from discarded bags could seep into groundwater. Still, you're wise to avoid even small levels of lead, especially if there's any chance of young children coming in contact with the contaminated objects."
Discussion Questions: What is your reaction to the investigation that found lead in the paint used in reusable bags sold at Publix and Winn-Dixie? Did the chains react properly based on the circumstances?
- Tests show lead levels vary in reusable grocery bags - The Tampa Tribune
- Winn-Dixie pulling reusable bags in response to investigation - The Tampa Tribune
- Sen. Chuck Schumer calls for federal investigation of reusable grocery bags - The Tampa Tribune
- Schumer: Recent Reports Show Popular Reusable Grocery Bags Contain Dangerous Levels of Lead; Calls for Federal Agencies to Ban Grocery Bags with Lead - Senator Charles E. Schumer
- Winn-Dixie Voluntarily Withdraws Its Reusable Bags - Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc./Business Wire
- Rants & Raves: Yet another specious cause for worrying? - The Florida Times-Union
- Consumer Reports tests two reusable grocery bags for lead - Consumer Reports