Associated Press | More than 40 major retailers and apparel
makers have agreed to limit the use of lead in handbags and other
fashion accessories, an environmental group said Wednesday.

The companies will set new industry standards for lead use in their
products as part of a $1.7 million settlement filed Tuesday in Alameda
County Superior Court in California.

The agreement settles a suit filed against the companies last year by the Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health.

The environmental advocacy group found high levels of lead when it tested dozens of vinyl and faux leather women’s handbags, purses and wallets it bought at major retail outlets in the San Francisco Bay area.

Michael Green, the center’s executive director, said he hopes other companies that make, import or sell fashion accessories will follow the health standards spelled out in the  agreement.

The settlement means “millions of women no longer need to fear that their purse may pose a threat to their health or the health of their children,” Green said.

The retailers that signed the settlement include Macy’s, Target, Kohl’s, J.C. Penney, Guess, Sears, Kmart, Saks and Victoria’s Secret.

Attorneys for the settling companies were not able to provide comment Tuesday night.

The $1.7 million settlement will include payments to California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and the Center for Environmental Health. The center said it will use the money to pay for legal expenses, monitor compliance with the agreement and fund its environmental protection work.

Lead exposure has been linked to health problems including higher infertility rates for women and increased risk for stroke, high blood pressure and heart attacks. Young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.