Get the Lead Out - Reply

I came across the following post:
http://atatude.wordpress.com/2007/12/10/get-the-lead-out/

It had a reference to the following CNN article on Lead in Christmas Lights:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/12/10/christmas.lights/

My reply:

Nice find on the CNN article!

Who do they think we are? A bunch of mindless idiots who will blindly buy their products irrespective to the toxins they are willing to dump in to them so they can make a bigger buck? Sure sounds like it from some of the responses given by Wal-mart and other companies that were interviewed.

I think the only way these arrogant companies will learn is through the bottom line. When parents stop spending "their" money on these tainted products and even return the products that have been recalled, their profits will suffer. Please do not just throw away recalled products, but try to return them. There is no better way to make the irresponsible retailers and manufacturers realize what the true impact of their "mistakes" will cost them.

If surface lead can come off with a wipe test, just imagine how much lead comes off upon contact with the tree or other decorations? How much of that lead is microscopic to the point it is easily airborne too? How much lead are they putting in the artificial trees? How safe are the non-electrical ornaments? Since lipstick and children's toys has been found to have high levels of lead, what can we trust?

One point that should be made about blood tests for lead, is that the body completely absorbs all lead within about 30 days of exposure so blood lead tests can only check for recent exposures and is no good at prior exposures. Once the lead is absorbed in to the tissue, I don't think even detoxification treatments can remove it.

Last year I found some extension cords that were rated for indoor and outdoor use that had a label that specified that they were lead-free. Lead-free products can be made if the manufacturers want to. Personally, I'd be more than happy to pay a 20% or even 40% premium if the product can be guaranteed to be lead-free.