According to a report issued by HealthyStuff.org, a nonprofit environmental research group, there are enough toxic chemicals found in garden houses and other gardening products to warrant a “high concern” notation. The study looked at 90 garden houses, 23 garden tools, 53 gloves, and 13 kneeling pads that were bought from popular retail stores, such as Wal-Mart and Lowe’s, Target, and Home Depot.
Per the study’s findings:
• 100% of the PVC garden hoses tested positive for phthalates.
• 30% of all the products tested contained over 100 parts per million of lead in at least one component. (This is rather high, considering that the CPSC now limits lead amounts to 100 parts per million in children’s products.)
• Phthalates and lead levels in the gloves and water hoses that were tested went over the CPSC’s allowable levels for other products.
• There were garden hose brass fittings containing levels of lead that went over even the Safe Water Drinking Act standard for brass fittings in residential water fixtures.
While HealthyStuff.org was most concerned about garden hoses and how much toxic chemicals they might contain, the group was also worried about vinyl garden gloves and the amount of phthalates found in them.
Products Liabilitiy
If exposure to lead or phthalates or any other toxic chemical in a product has caused someone injury, illness, disability, or death, the victim and his/her family may have reason to pursue a products liability case against the manufacturer, distributor, and/or seller.
Exposure to too high levels of lead can cause lead poisoning, leading to brain damage, hearing problems, learning disabilities, and even death. In recent years, the CPSC recalled millions of products, primarily made for children and babies, because they contained too much lead. Many of these products were made abroad.
Meantime, there have been different reports about phthalates, which is used to soften plastic, and what can happen to someone who has been exposed to too much. Some studies have linked phthalates to genital birth defects, changes in baby boys’ reproductive hormones, an increased risk of breast cancer, liver cancer, and as having an adverse effect on the kidneys, blood, and/or reproductive system.
Not only are manufacturers supposed to make sure that their products are safe for use, but they also need to warn about any health or injury risks. Failure to warn or provide instructions on how to safely use a product can be grounds for a product defect lawsuit.
Please contact The Gilbert Law Group and ask to speak with one our experienced products liability lawyers today. We represent clients that have been injured or fallen ill because of dangerous, toxic, or defective household appliances, furniture, clothing, toys, accessories, motor vehicles, and other consumer products.
2012 Garden Products Study, Healthy Stuff
Garden hoses often contain phthalates and lead, study says, Los Angeles Times, May 4, 2012
CPSC Announces New, Lower Limit for Lead Content in Children’s Products, CPSC, July 15, 2011
Phthalates: Hidden Dangers In Everyday Products, Healthy Child, June 29, 2011
More Blog Posts:
CPSC Stopped About 647,000 Unsafe Products from Entering the US During 1st Quarter of Fiscal Year 2012, Product Liability Law Blog, April 10, 2012
CPSC Now Ready to Talk About Tougher Safety Regulations for Table Saws, Product Liability Law Blog, September 28, 2011
Preventing Injuries to Children: Are Gas Fireplaces a Burn Hazard?, Product Liability Law Blog, March 8, 2010
Phthalates, Lead and Other Toxic Chemicals Found in Popular Gardening Products, Says Study
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