Comments on: Lead and fabrics

By: O Ecotextiles

O Ecotextiles — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:39:37 +0000

Lead in fabrics is transmitted into the body usually because microscopic pieces of fabric (which contain the lead) abrade and are then breathed in; they can also be absorbed into the skin when skin and fabric come in contact. I think that a hair bow, which may very well contain lead (or mercury or any of the other heavy metals) doesn’t pose much of a threat since there is small chance of abrasion and hair protects her scalp from coming in contact with the fabric.

By: Mercedes

Mercedes — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:05:25 +0000

I bougth a hair bow for my daughter in downtown LA. Would lead be found in the fabric? Would it harm her if I put it on her head or is lead only harmful when ingested? Please Let me know….Thanks in advance.

By: O Ecotextiles

O Ecotextiles — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:23:01 +0000

We did a post on that on October, 27, 2010, http://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/lead-and-fabrics/ Hope that helps.

By: manoj bhargava

manoj bhargava — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:27:50 +0000

what is the side effcte of lead for humen body in textile

By: oecotextiles

oecotextiles — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:24:10 +0000

Hi Lisa: I think you have to worry more about the lead used in the manufacturing of the purse that was probably dumped into our environment without treatment – so it’s probably circulating in the groundwater of the planet. It becomes part of the environmental burden that we must bear. The best way to protect your family is not to buy products that contain lead in the first place, because every time you buy it you’re sending a message to the factory to produce more just like it. So even though the lead in the purse may not pose a risk, that factory continues to contribute to our lead pollution.

By: Lisa Velez

Lisa Velez — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:50:35 +0000

I recently purchased a purse that had a sticker on it’s label, stating that “This product may contain lead a chemical known to the State of California to cause reproductive harm.” The purse was made in China as well. Do I need to worry about this product harming me or my family?

By: oecotextiles

oecotextiles — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:43:27 +0000

Hi Shaun: It’s a common misconception to think that process chemicals can be washed out. It’s often suggested that washing the fabric will get rid of the toxic chemicals used during processing, like formaldehyde and lead. But think about it: these chemicals are used to provide certain characteristics, like wrinkle resistance (in the use of formaldehyde) or color (in the use of lead), so why would a manufacturer put in a wrinkle resistant finish or color that washes out? If that were the case, your permanent press shirts and sheets would suddenly (after a washing or two) need to be ironed. Do you find that to be the case? Lead is most often used as a component in the dye chemicals, and if it washed out then your fabrics would lose color. And especially with fiber reactive dyes, those dye chemicals are designed to bond with the fibers so as to NOT wash or wear out.
Manufacturers work long and hard to make sure these chemicals do NOT wash out. Studies have shown that formaldehyde, for example, does not wash out.
An additional issue with silk is that it is sold by the weight – so there is a process called weighting silk, in which chemicals are added to give weight to the finished fabric. Lead used to be the chemical of choice for that process, and is still used occasionally. We did a blog post on silk in June of last year, http://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/silk/. Finally, I have to point out that recycled fabrics go through the same processing and use the same dyestuffs, finishes, etc. as non-recycled polyesters. The only difference is the type of fiber used. I wish I had better news for you!

By: Shaun

Shaun — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 02:24:54 +0000

Hi, do you know if there is any way to get lead out of fabric? For instance, does it come out with repeated washings, or is it more stubborn? I just bought a load of silk and am wondering if I can somehow reduce the probability of exposure before anyone ever touches it. (normally I only use recycled fabric for sewing projects but I was taken in with these amazing dupione silk colors…sigh)