Since today’s consumers are doing what they can to help save the planet, ecological green bags are increasingly replacing dispensable plastic shopping bags. But, a newly completed survey has found that a number of these reusable alternatives may have unacceptable levels of lead in them.
Samples taken from the bags by independent laboratories at the Publix University of South Florida showed a number of these supposed environmental replacements had lead levels of 194 parts per million. Though this is lower than the government standard of 300 parts per million for most products, it’s higher than the stipulated level for kid’s items, which is only 100 parts per million.
Bags tested in one other retail zone of Wegmans grocery stores in five states along the East coast revealed concerning quantities of 799 parts per million, substantially higher than the aforementioned standards of 300 parts per million. These bags were taken from the outlets and have ceased to be sold. After these results were revealed, more stores tested their bags, with many containing less lead, while others exceeded suitable amounts.
These findings make consumers wonder, should they or shouldn’t they use the bags? The experts say the danger is not from the reusable bag’s contents in the supermarket, it’s more from what takes place when these items are ultimately discarded. At that point, the lead could get into the ground and contaminate it. Since the bag isn’t comprised by the kind of lead easily absorbed into foodstuffs, they still constitute a more suitable option than the plastic bags which lots of individuals dispose of and that clutter landfills.
Surveyors state that given that the purpose of the bags is to help care for the planet, then the companies that make them should do a better job of ensuring they are certainly safe for the planet. Though they do indeed help keep plastic bags out of the landfills, if they pollute the earth after they eventually are thrown away, then the companies that make them are defeating the rationale of helping the environment.
Given this conflict regarding whether or not the bags are as good of a choice of an environmentally friendly alternative as previously thought, consumers are wondering what their options are at this point. Firstly, due to the evidence, the manufacturers of the bags that violated the suitable levels are being asked to wilfully cut down the amount of lead in their bags. Another important thing to remember is that there are many companies out there who make eco friendly bags which contain acceptable quantities of lead in them. Thus it would be incorrect to say that there are no safe options out there to purchase eco friendly shopping bags. In fact the hyperlinks within this article will take you to a lead free manufacturer of reusable bags, among many other safe manufacturers out there.
An alternative is for the consumer to utilize 100 percent cloth bags, as it is the bags made of a plastic material which are controversial. Another option is to make sure the bags you have are made in the U. S., as a few of the bags containing higher levels of lead were from China.
Health experts assume that more testing is in the works for these eco reusable shopping bags in the future. In the meantime, consumers ought to look for the less decorated and plain colored bags, since these usually have lower levels of lead and are ultimately safer than the colorful ones. Remember to do your research about the producer you are working with to guarantee that you’re employing bags which are truly ecological and sustainable without unacceptable levels of lead. Plus, there’s always the option of requesting a paper bag and then recycle it.
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