My XRF testing experiences

[#1]

So I tested all my products yesterday with an XRF gun. Everything came back super duper low except these vintage pearlized buttons I had a few pairs of - they failed miserably. DH made me put on gloves to remove them - not sure of that was necessary but I like to keep him happy.

All the fabric, all the trims, all the yarn, and all the eyes and buttons (except the aformentioned pair) had readings on 10 or less ppm.

I will be sending my results in to the CSPC request for comments on componant testing - from my results there is no need to test ANY fabric. I hope anyone else that has results will send them as well, as if they see the low numbers for these suppplies we all use maybe they will be more apt to look at the feasibility of componant testing.

[Former_Member]

I really, really wanted to start making childrens items with material, tread etc supplies...and I'm hoping if you send the results in they see that it is more than obvious that they sould make supplies like that exempt.

[monkeyseeboutique]

What a great find! Thanks so much for sharing and sending the results to them!!!

[Former_Member]

kinchi says:

Allthenumbers, did you happen to test any vintage fabric too?

Kinchi the flowers on my tree quilts are from vintage fabric and they tested at <10 ppm. I don't know how comfortable I would be with extrapolation, since there's no way to tell where it came from (other than my grandmother's tablecloth), but do with it what you will. :)

[Former_Member]

cozycottagecreations says:
That is fabulous news - you must be very relieved!

Did you get some kind of certificate? I'm wondering how it works after your item has been tested. The government's gonna want some kind of proof, right? Or at least having some kind of official documentation would put your mind even more at ease that you have done what you need to "comply".

The machine downloaded info from each test into a database and I have the printout. It is not my responsibility to compile the info into a GCC - blank ones are available on the CSPC website. Does anyone have the link for that?

I haven't gone through the info yet but I will post it when I do so you can see what it looks like.

[kinchi]

Thank you! Most of my items are from peoples grandmothers' tablecloths, so to speak;-)

I'm no expert in this, but it is highly unlikely that any kind of painted or printed fabric (that is not a metallic print) would contain high lead levels. Thanks for doing this and sending it to them, hope they'll get to their senses!

[HipKidsTyeDye]

I had my items tested by XRF yesterday as well. Cotton items with Procien MX dye in all the colors I used. No traces of lead. Not even on the snaps on the baby onesie.

[Former_Member]

Wow...that's fascinating! Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Thats great hipkids!

[Former_Member]

What did it cost you to test your items? I would have no idea where to even look in my area! So much of what I do is OOAK...................ugh.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the info! Love it when DH are cute and over protective!

[Former_Member]

Yeah that's his MO. :)

Zozo do you belong to a team? Maybe a bunch of you could chip in?

[Former_Member]

This is a brochure (PDF, printable) that a few Etsy sellers made, for others to send out to everyone. It has a lot of relevant links, including how to contact your state reps:
http://shalomscottagehome.com/Assets/Special%20Graphics/save%20handmade_book.pdf

here's the site for the CPSIA:
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Also, a Ning site you can join to network and get more information. They also have a petition for users who will be affected:
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/

[Former_Member]

about the safety of using the XRF, I used to work as a clerk in a hospital radiology department.. my first thought was that you could always contact the radiology department of your local clinic or hospital. They always have lots of lead aprons on hand, and I'm betting most would be fine with letting you do your testing right there in an exam room if they aren't busy (especially if you got your doctor to ask them as a favor)

[Former_Member]

very interesting. I've been looking into getting the hairclips I use tested. But I can't find anywhere local to do it.

[HipKidsTyeDye]

It didn't cost me anything. The enviornmental lab just did it for me. Their XRF rep was in town for a meeting and I met up with her. She is on some Wisconsin State Committee for Childhood Lead Prevention. I made some good contacts and was able to get my point across to the Chair of the committee that the law was too broad. I intend to create a seperate post about that experiene as soon as I can craft something well thought out. :) However, digestive testing would put me out of business. Average cost per item for the 3rd party certification is $150-$300 per item.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing this!

[Former_Member]

You didn't need the gloves. :)You would have to grind the buttons up and snort them, or eat them to get any meaningful exposure. That's why is dangerous and focused on small children, as everything goes in their mouths.

I really don't understand this law. It's a butterfly hammer. Typical knee jerk politicians at work. I can certainly see applying it to imports, and imported products. I'd like to see the statistics on homegrown products. I have a feeling there is little to no problem.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for this information!! Marking for later!

[Former_Member]

JBrunner says:
You didn't need the gloves. :)You would have to grind the buttons up and snort them, or eat them to get any meaningful exposure. That's why is dangerous and focused on small children, as everything goes in their mouths.

I figured. :) I was just humoring him, really. He made the long drive with me to get the testing done so I would have done most anything he asked.

[Former_Member]

HipKidsTyeDye says:
It didn't cost me anything. The enviornmental lab just did it for me. Their XRF rep was in town for a meeting and I met up with her. She is on some Wisconsin State Committee for Childhood Lead Prevention. I made some good contacts and was able to get my point across to the Chair of the committee that the law was too broad. I intend to create a seperate post about that experiene as soon as I can craft something well thought out. :)


Wow! That's awesome! I wonder if other similar institutions in other states might be willing to help as well, for people that don't have easy access to a machine - it's worth a try maybe.

[Former_Member]

JBrunner says:
I'd like to see the statistics on homegrown products. I have a feeling there is little to no problem.
---------------
I've asked the same thing. I don't think we'll ever see those stats.

[Former_Member]

JBrunner says:
I'd like to see the statistics on homegrown products. I have a feeling there is little to no problem.
---------------

My boyfriend recently told me of a story he heard on NPR that said otherwise, that some U.S. made toys were found to have lead in the plastics. I just did a quick search and found this article:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/03/news/companies/toxic_toys/index.htm?postversion=2008120314

I know it just says that some U.S. made toys had "detectable" levels of lead, but still scary!

[Former_Member]

bumping for the lunch crowd

[Former_Member]

Marking.....

[Former_Member]

bumping for anyone that might need this info