Tag: Faux Leather Purse

Last year I got this really great white faux leather bag from H&M and have worn it everywhere. I figured since it wasn’t leather I was being good to the environment, or at least to the cow who may have otherwise given up his hide. Unfortunately I wasn’t being good to myself. Turns out that there are excessive levels of lead in faux leather. Yes…lead. In faux leather.

The Center for Environmental Health has just filed suit here in California against four major companies for high levels of lead found in purses, clutches, wallets and designer handbags. Looks like purses are going to be held to the same standard as toys and other products that are known to contain lead.

Blows my mind, really. Lead in purses!

Turns out the study was done in April of 2009. That’s a long time from then till now and just to think that not only have I been carrying my faux leather purse, I’ve been pregnant that whole time! One of the times that are most susceptible to lead exposure.

If you want to read the list of all of the companies that CEH has notified of excessive levels of lead you can go to their website. The list will stun you in its sheer length. Companies like Cole Haan, Liz Claiborne, Kate Spade…yikes!