Thread: Lead test kits

A newscast in Atlanta explains how test kits for detecting lead in new toys sells for under $20 and furthers states that all new toys should be tested before kids recieve them. This is discusting. Its putting the cart in front of the horse. Rather than cut off the imports from China, they want us to test the toys and pay for it at the same time. Shareholders of the companies that make the test kits must be delighted. What a bunch of crap.

This is really pathetic, we can now spend $20 of our own money to buy test kits so that we can buy garbage that we should't be buying in the first place.

According to an investigative report here a few weeks ago, these lead test kits are a waste of money. I'll see if I can find it.

[quote]Nancy Nord, the acting chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, testified about the agency's lack of resources and said only one person tests toys.

"He basically spends his time doing small-parts testing, drop testing. Bob’s our small parts guy,â€

The United Steel Workers of America was offering free lead test kits. I'll go look for a link.

Get the Lead Out!

http://www.steelworkersmerchandise.com/mm5/merchant.mvc

OK Rockfish, do it and test it in the middle of the store selling that crap from China and do it in front of every customer you can find. When that lead test kit turns positive before their eyes, what better way to get the point across.

Dixie

Will the kits work on lazy teens?

When I tell them to "Get the lead out" they say there going as fast as they can

This morning I too heard on the news how we are to buy lead test kits to test the toys we buy. After checking the CPSC website, I find this is a total waste of our money.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2007
Release #08-038

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC Staff Study: Home Lead Test Kits Unreliable

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced the results of a special evaluation of consumer lead test kits. CPSC staff used commonly available test kits on a variety of paints and other products containing different levels of lead. Many of the tests performed using the kits did not detect lead when it was there (false negatives); some indicated lead was present when it was not (false positives). Of 104 total test results, more than half (56) were false negatives, and two were false positives. None of the kits consistently detected lead in products if the lead was covered with a non-leaded coating. Based on the study consumers should not use lead test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead hazards. These findings are consistent with previous CPSC staff test results.

CPSC staff studied two common types of home lead test kits that are based on chemical reactions involving rhodizonate ion or sulfide ion. Most test kits were developed to detect levels of lead in household paint that are usually much higher than CPSC’s regulatory maximum level of 0.06%. As a result, staff found that these kits may not be useful for detecting relatively low lead paint concentrations or for detecting lead in other materials, such as metal jewelry or vinyl products. Also, both types of kits may be affected by substances such as iron, tin, or dirt, or by paint colors that can cause the color in the test kit to change or hide the color change, thereby interfering with interpretation of the test results.

As part of the study of lead test kits, CPSC staff also evaluated the use of x-ray fluorescence (XRF) for screening for lead in paint and other products. Twelve of 13 samples were correctly identified as containing lead. The staff notes that this technology may be of use by a professional inspector for screening for the presence or absence of lead in products, particularly for surface level lead. However, XRF detectors are generally not available for consumer use. Further, use of an XRF device requires knowledge, training and consideration of its limitations. For example, XRF detectors have limited depth of penetration so, for certain applications such as children's metal jewelry, it is possible for the surface coating to mask the presence of potentially hazardous leaded base metal underneath.

Consumers should exercise caution when using these test kits to evaluate consumer products for potential lead exposures. False results can make it difficult or impossible for consumers to determine the proper course of action to take. In fact, CPSC staff has tested a number of other samples that had been identified by consumers and others based on their use of inexpensive test kits as having high lead levels. To date, none of these items has actually had high lead levels based on CPSC lab analysis. This is another indication of the poor reliability of the kits for this purpose. Testing by a qualified laboratory and trained personnel is the only way to accurately assess the potential risk posed by a consumer product that may contain lead.

Consumers can stay informed of lead-related recalls by signing up for email announcements at www.cpsc.gov. Consumers who suspect that their child has been exposed to excessive levels of lead, should immediately contact a physician.

P.S. I am one of the few remaining US manufacturers of bunk beds. I'm not plugging my business. I want to strongly caution all of you to beware of the vast majority of beds being sold in this country. Most fail to meet the CPSC requirements for bunk beds. This is the case with many of our imports, not just bunk beds, but I have been in the business for 13 years and I see nothing but dangerous products coming in to our country.[/b]

Originally Posted by Dixie

OK Rockfish, do it and test it in the middle of the store selling that crap from China and do it in front of every customer you can find. When that lead test kit turns positive before their eyes, what better way to get the point across.

Dixie

Man o man, Dixie, you really thought of a doosey there! That's got to be the best idea I've heard yet! But it will cost me $20!

Since MOST everything we buy...seems to be from China (when you start looking at items in your home... or decide to start looking or call the manufacturer before buying ANY product) you find that it seems like 99 % of EVERYTHING you pick up or look at is from China!!! It's pathetic!!!

What about all the stuff in our homes that are probably filled with lead that could hurt our children!!! Another thing I have been wondering about is the "unborn" child. How much if any, damage can be caused to a child in the womb???

I hate what these politicians have and are doing to this country!!! Everyone of these, IMO... TRAITORS... should be thrown into prison for allowing all the damage... and even DEATHS that have come upon the people of this country due to their greed of money and power!!!!!!!!