• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Business / Project finds shopping bags containing lead

Project finds shopping bags containing lead

January 14, 2013 By Matt Kelley

A recent screening of 125 various shopping bags in a dozen states, including Iowa, found three bags contained high concentrations of lead. Iowa D.N.R. Environmental Specialist Kathleen Hennings says — in past years — plastic bags found to be in noncompliance with laws associated with toxic metals in packaging were manufactured overseas.

“This time, we got one from here in Iowa,” Hennings said. “That was a really big surprise to us, as it was to the manufacturer here in Iowa.” The shopping bag was manufactured in Des Moines, but it was the film supplier that was at fault for the lead.

Hennings said the bags were immediately removed from stores. “They’ve been gone, off the shelves, for a good year,” Hennings said. Toxic metals are regulated in packaging by 19 U.S. states, including Iowa.

The metals are found in the inks used to print or color the bags and become a problem when the ultimately end up in the landfill. “Over time, that bag is going to break down, but heavy metals won’t. Those heavy metals are still going to be in the landfill for years and years, decades and decades,” Hennings said.

Overall, compliance has improved with state toxics in packaging laws. A screening project released in 2007 showed almost 17-percent noncompliance for plastic shopping bags.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Business, News, Outdoors

Featured Stories

Bill would limit placement of solar arrays on farm ground

Marquette casino moving to land, leaving only 2 casino boats in Iowa

Reynolds signs her ‘school choice’ bill into law

Governor Reynolds touts 2024 Iowa Caucuses in Inaugural Address

University of Iowa grad presiding over U.S. House Speaker vote

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

No coaching changes coming for Iowa football

Iowa State names new receivers coach

No. 2 Iowa visits No. 1 Penn State in wrestling dual Friday night

Iowa’s Clark brings increased exposure to women’s basketball

No. 18 Iowa State women visit TCU

More Sports

Archives

Copyright © 2023 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC