So, apparently, it has been discovered that many reusable grocery bags (such as the one on the right) contain lead, which sounds terrible when thinking back on all the lead poisoning that occured several decades earlier.However, it seems that the only bad effects that could occur would either be poisoning in the long term as the lead leaks out or paint flaking off the bags, resulting in the releasing of lead. Obviously, there have not been enough studies to confirm this.
It is definitely ironic that a deed with a good intention such as this could end up harming the environment (through lead leakage in landfills and such). But this story also represents how the many citizens in America are overtly concerned with any threats to their well-being. And mistakes happen all the time, so no one should be expecting a world where everything is harm-free.
9 comments:
Even though these bags may or may not contain lead I would still use them, simply because anything we do has some sort of bad effect on the environment. However this effect does not seem as bad as if we kept using one-time use plastic bags.
This is a sad story like you said its ironic how something good for the earth and everyone around can be devesating. I would like to know if it is harmful when they do further studies. Since the "green" industry is increasing so much you have to wonder if this will slow things down?
I think that these wouldn't be harmful as long as lead doesn't come out of it. I like how these bags help us save the environment because they're reusable compared to using plastic bags. Nothing can be completely safe in my opinion and even though these bags contain lead in them, there's a chance that the lead won't come out at all.
These bags shouldn't be taken as a huge threat, but definitely not as a bluff either. Leaking lead is a serious issue, but in this case, it's not a major one. I mean, people should still use the reusable grocery bags but have precautions before use.
It seems that everything these days are somehow bad for either peoples' bodies or the environment. I can't believe that even things trying to save the environment now can hurt it. I hope it doesn't get bad enough were it is worse for the environment rather than better. Otherwise, I think the use of these bags should sill be encouraged because they are definitely better than plastic bags that fill up garbage dumps and don't compose for millions of years.
I agree its very sad that even things we do to help have such bad effects. Hopefully because of these discoveries they will stop making the bags with lead and create new bags that are actually environmentally-friendly.
Also, I think it's odd these bags got through to the public with lead, I would think that SOMEONE in the process of creating these bags would care about the environment and want these bags to be safe.
Although it is ironic that such intention results in potential harm, I agree with your last statement. It is difficult to avoid harm, so I don't believe much blame should be made. We should just look to the future and do more research before producing such items.
I think all the materials that were saved by making this bag outweigh the cost of having potential lead poisoning. As a side note:how would a environmental organization allow lead in there paint? Or not find traces of it? Very ironic. Back to the main point; if one does notice the paints chipping off the bag, simply recycle it. What was it two bucks anyways? This so called lead poisoning should not be an issue as long as the person is cautious of the wear and tear of the bag. It's funny how American just knows how to make things a big deal when it really doesn't need to be.
I definitely agree with the previous comments that the benefits of these bags outweigh the consequences. Nothing's made perfectly; a little lead in a reusable bag that's potentially helping us save our environment isn't much damage at all compared with the unnecessary overload use of paper and plastic bags every time we go to the grocery store.
A little lead won't hurt us, but I guess if producers could find a way to use a substitute instead of lead in these bags, they would be even more environmentally friendly and better yet, make citizens stop their complaints.
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