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Good grief, we're not safe even when we try to be environmentally sensitive and buy reusable grocery bags so we don't have to choose between paper or plastic. Here is information from the American Association of Justice:

USA Today (11/15, Armour) reports, "Lead found in some reusable grocery bags is raising concerns that the toxin could pose environmental or health concerns to consumers." Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) "is asking for a federal investigation into the reusable bags following a series by The Tampa Tribune. The newspaper found lead in bags purchased at Winn-Dixie, Publix, Sweetbay, Walmart, and Target."

The AP (11/14, Gormley) reported, "Sen. Charles Schumer of New York is seeking a federal investigation after a newspaper's report of lead content in some reusable grocery bags. The Democrat told The Associated Press that many of the reusable grocery bags sold nationwide are manufactured in China." The lawmaker "plans to announce Sunday that he is contacting the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission."

Newsday (11/14, Polsky) reported, "High lead levels in reusable bags intended as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags is the latest toxic surprise in consumer goods manufactured in China, and Sen. Charles Schumer is calling on the US Food and Drug Administration to investigate and regulate it." Schumer stated, "'We've asked for an investigation so the public and supermarkets know which bags have the lead and which don't,' he said, adding he'd asked the FDA to determine a level at which the lead content is dangerous and 'ban anything above it.'" And, "while reassuring consumers that no imminent danger is posed by lead leaching out of the bags, most of which are relatively new, Schumer...said bags could degrade over time."