Given that nowadays consumers are doing what they can to protect the earth, reusable environmental bags have become a popular alternative to dispensable plastic shopping bags. Although, a newly completed survey has shown some of these reusable alternatives could contain unacceptable levels of lead within them.

Samples taken from the bags by independent laboratories at the Publix University of South Florida confirmed a number of the reusable green bags had lead quantities of 194 parts per million. Although this is below the government stipulation of 300 parts per million for most products, it’s higher than the stipulated level for children’s products, which is only 100 parts per million.

Tests conducted within one other retail zone of Wegmans grocery stores in five states across the East coast revealed concerning quantities of 799 parts per million, substantially higher than the previously mentioned stipulation of 300 parts per million. These bags were removed from the outlets and are no longer being offered. After these results were revealed, more companies tested their bags, with some falling under and some being over satisfactory levels.

These studies cause shoppers to be concerned, are these bags appropriate or not to use? The experts say the danger is not from the tote bag’s properties at the food market, but derives from what happens when the bags are eventually thrown away. At that point, the lead runs the risk of polluting the ground. As the lead is not of the variety that easily contaminates produce, they still constitute a more suitable option than the plastic bags that most people throw away and that clog up landfills.

Experts believe that given that the purpose of the bags is to help look after the planet, then the manufacturers that produce them must work harder to ensure that they are undeniably safe for the environment. Although they without doubt prevent plastic bags from filling up landfills, if they can hard the ground subsequent to being disposed of, then the companies that make them are undermining the point of supporting the environment.

Given this conflict regarding whether or not these items are as good of a choice of an environmentally friendly alternative as previously thought, customers are wondering what their options are at this point. First, because of the findings, the makers of the bags who violated the safe levels are being asked to wilfully reduce the quantity of lead in their bags. One other significant detail to consider is that there are several providers on the market that make environmentally sustainable bags which contain acceptable quantities of lead in them. Thus it would be wrong to say that there are no safe options out there to purchase eco friendly shopping bags. In fact the hyperlinks within this article will take you to a lead free manufacturer of reusable bags, among many other safe manufacturers out there.

An alternative is for the consumer to utilize 100 percent cloth bags, since it’s simply bags developed from plastic material which are in question. Another option is to make sure the bags you have are made in the U. S., as some of the bags containing higher levels of lead were from China.

Health specialists predict that more testing is in the works for these eco friendly reusable bags in the future. In the meantime, consumers should look for the less decorated and plain colored bags, since these typically have less lead content and are ultimately safer than the colorful ones. It’s important to do your research about the manufacturer you are working with to guarantee that you’re employing bags which are really ecological and sustainable without unacceptable levels of lead. Plus, there’s always the option of requesting a paper bag and then recycle it.