Important Health Information Regarding Your Reusable Shopping Bags

Several weeks ago I read a disturbing news article on the lead levels found in reusable shopping bags. In particular are the bags sold at Target, Walmart, Winn- Dixie, and Publix, made out of Polypropylene. The Federal standard for lead in products in 300 ppm for adults and 100 ppm for children. These bags rang in at 194. Since it is typically an adult doing the grocery shopping, these bags are considered safe even though they are double what is safe for your child. And everyone admits they don't know how they will dispose of them as they will contaminate landfills and pose a threat to the environment.

It's not safe for the dirt-but it's been deemed safe for you.

In addition, the lead doesn't pose a threat to you until the bag starts to wear down, therefore releasing the lead. So our environmental friendly bags aren't so environmentally friendly and they just might be exposing you and your children to lead poisoning.

Strike One.

Strike Two might even be more disturbing. When grocery shoppers allowed their reusable bags to be tested for bacteria, 50% tested positive for E Coli. 97% of shoppers admitted never having washed their bags before.

So the key is to wash your bags-- but washing your bags does what? You guessed it-- wears it down and releases the lead! So you have E Coli on one hand and Lead Poisoning on the other.

And I used to be so proud of myself for remembering to use my reusable bags. Sigh.

So what's the solution?
You have several options.

1- Use your bags, wash them regularly, and when they show signs of wear, toss them out.
They are only $0.99 and you can often get them for free during store promos, local street fairs, etc.

2- Make your own bags. Follow a free tutorial online to turn your old T-shirts into bags. There are also free patterns for crocheting, knitting, and sewing. You can shop the clearance bins for cheap fabrics, or use your coupons and buy organic fabrics or sustainable bamboo.

50 Free Patterns for Making your own reusable bagsfrom TipNut

                      
3- Not the crafty type? Buy reusable bags not made from polypropylene. They are most expensive, but they will last longer and you won't have to worry about lead, adding toxins to our landfills, or continually replacing them as they wear down.

Yes It's Organic Organic Reusable Bags starting at $5

Reusable Organic Grocery Bags Start at $8 a piece on Amazon.com

Reusable Produce Bags 5 pack on Amazon.com  $10.09 Shipped



Sometimes it can be quite discouraging when we think we are doing so good and we find out it's not so good. But don't lose hope. Just take things step by step. Day by Day. Eventually we'll get where we want to be.

If you find a great tutorial on making bags or a great price for organic bags, please leave a comment below and share with us!

More Information on Lead and Ecoli:

Article By USA Today

The Daily Green Lead Levels In Reusable Bags

University of Arizona Ecoli in Reusable Bags