I call them “glamour” bags but I believe the proper name used widely is faux leather handbags. These bags are made out of a synthetic product called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, have bright colors and are very fashionable, making them very popular, stylish, trendy items. Both younger and older women alike have one or more of these bags in her closet. It’s usually her favorite bag and takes it everywhere. My concern with many of these purses is, unfortunately, they contain excessive amounts of lead. Lead that is being rubbed off onto people’s clothes and hands, or worse, on their children’s hands, and we all know where children like to put there hands.

Just a few problems that lead causes in both children and adults:

Cancer, strokes, high blood pressure, greater risk of heart attacks, kidney problems, intellectual development, delayed puberty, behavior problems, anemia, cavities, reduced ability to become pregnant, cognitive function and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

I believe the top retailers are looking into testing purses for lead levels, but we’re not sure about the duration of their investigation, so in the meantime, if you’re purchasing a wallet, purse or handbag, buy one that is made of natural materials such as bamboo, water hyacinth, jute and hemp, rather than the good ole lead filled faux leather. It’ll be better for your health and the environment in the long run.

For more information take a look at www.ceh.org/storage/cehca/documents/accessory_bag_report.pdf