CPSC Says Home Lead Tests May Not Be Accurate for Toys
Understandably, sales of home lead tests have increased lately, with concerned parents looking to test the contents of the toy-box rather than rely on the continuous parade of recalls that’s been alternating from trickle to deluge to trickle again. But the Consumers Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is dubious about the results of these home tests.
According to a report published on the CPSC site, these tests can result in false positives or false negatives, making the results rather inconclusive. The CPSC concludes that the only truly effective testing method is via an approved laboratory, stating, in part, “Laboratory testing by a qualified laboratory using proper techniques and interpretation of the results by qualified toxicologists is the only way to accurately assess the potential risk
posed by a consumer product that may contain lead.”
Have a look at the CPSC’s Evaluation of Consumer Products for Lead report, just published. If you’d still like to test for lead at home, here’s a wrap-up of some lead testing kits that are available.
Though you can always have that pushy next-door kid go around and lick everything. That might work.
http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/leadguide.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118843139888012856.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
