Investigation Into Lead and Cadmium in Certain Vinyl Consumer Products

Health Canada Consumer Products Division
Product Safety Bureau
October 30, 1997

Executive Summary

This report is in response to recent concerns raised in a Greenpeace study, that there are vinyl consumer products on the market that contain levels of lead and cadmium that can be released and pose a serious risk to the health and safety of Canadian children. To verify these statements, the Product Safety Bureau of Health Canada initiated an investigation.

Samples of the products that were reported purchased in Montreal by Greenpeace were acquired for testing and risk evaluation. In addition, nearly a dozen other products similar to those found by Greenpeace in other U.S. cities were analyzed.

The investigation was three fold. First, the samples were tested to determine the total lead and total cadmium by weight that was present in the vinyl material. Secondly, the samples were subjected to an acidic extraction to determine how much lead and cadmium could be released from the vinyl, if a piece of the product was ingested by a child. Finally, taking into consideration the exposure and hazard, the risk posed to young children by these products was evaluated.

In accordance with the findings of its investigation, Health Canada has concluded that:

(1) the lead and cadmium present in these vinyl consumer products does not pose any significant risk to children; and

(2) there is no foundation for comparing the release of lead in these consumer products with the release of lead in vinyl mini-blinds that are exposed to high heat and sustained ultraviolet radiation, as the mechanism for potential lead release is not the same.