A recent report by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has revealed alarming levels of lead in fashion accessories sold by two major retailers, Ross and Burlington. Investigators discovered handbags, belts, wallets, and shoes containing lead levels exceeding safe limits, raising concerns about consumer and worker safety. The CEH’s investigation targeted 63 Ross stores and 15 Burlington stores throughout California, uncovering widespread lead contamination in various fashion accessories.
Lab tests confirmed that hundreds of items, spanning a wide array of brands, contained lead levels surpassing 300 parts per million (ppm). This significantly exceeds the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) safety limit of 100 ppm for children’s products, highlighting the potential health risks associated with exposure to these accessories.
The CEH emphasizes the urgent need for stricter regulations and safer standards regarding lead content in consumer products. Lead is a potent neurotoxin, particularly harmful to children, and exposure can have severe long-term health consequences.
CEH CEO, Kizzy Charles-Guzman, stressed the disproportionately high lead levels found in leather and faux leather accessories, underscoring the need for increased vigilance and accountability within the fashion accessories industry. Consumers often assume products are safe, highlighting the importance of transparency and rigorous testing by Fashion Accessories Retailers.
California law mandates that employers protect workers from lead exposure. Robert Moutrie, a policy advisor with the California Chamber of Commerce, explained that Cal/OSHA recently implemented stricter lead regulations, reducing the permissible exposure limit from 50 micrograms to 10 micrograms over an 8-hour shift. This underscores the critical need for fashion accessories retailers to prioritize worker safety and comply with these regulations.
Ross issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to customer and associate safety, stating they maintain strict product safety requirements and hold suppliers accountable to applicable standards. They pledged to investigate and take prompt action regarding any non-compliant products. Burlington did not respond to requests for comment. The CEH report serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in everyday products and the critical role of fashion accessories retailers in ensuring consumer and worker safety. The findings underscore the need for ongoing monitoring, stricter regulations, and greater transparency within the fashion accessories industry to mitigate lead exposure risks.
