Researchers say children are most vulnerable to lead—and also most likely to mouth clothing—putting them at greater risk.
Parents may want to take a closer look at what their children are wearing after new research found unsafe levels of Preliminary findings from the study conducted by undergraduate researchers show that several children’s shirts sold by popular retailers contained lead levels exceeding U.
S. federal safety limits.has become a go-to option for families looking to keep up with rapidly growing children at a low cost, but according to the researchers, affordability may come withAfter testing 11 children’s shirts in a range of bright and muted colors—including red, yellow, pink, blue and gray—the team found that every item exceeded the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s limit of 100 parts per million of lead for children’s products.began years ago when her own daughter briefly showed elevated blood lead levels due to toy coatings—before today’s stricter regulations were in place. “I started to see many articles about lead in clothing from fast fashion,” Deavers said. “And I realized not too many parents knew about the issue.”have focused largely on metal components in children’s clothing—such as zippers, snaps and buttons—lead has also been detected directly in textiles. Deavers said some manufacturers use lead acetate as a low-cost chemical to help dyes bind to fabric, producing bright, long-lasting colors. Undergraduate researchers Cristina Avello and Priscila Espinoza joined the study to better understand how fast fashion could affect children’s health. “Not only are children the most vulnerable to the effects of lead, but they’re also the population that is going to be putting their clothes in their mouths,” Avello said. Lead exposure is considered harmful at any level and has been linked to behavioral problems, damage to the brain and nervous system, and other long-term health effects. Children under six are particularly at risk, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In a second phase of the study, the researchers simulated stomach digestion to estimate how much lead could be absorbed if fabric were chewed or swallowed. Their analysis suggests that even brief mouthing behavior could exceed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s daily lead intake limit for children. Over time, repeated exposure could raise blood lead levels high enough to warrant clinical monitoring. The team plans to expand its testing to more garments and examine whether washing contaminated clothing spreads lead to other items or washing machines. They are also calling for stronger screening of children’s apparel and greater pressure on manufacturers to adopt safer dyeing methods. Alternatives to lead-based dyes already exist, including natural and environmentally safe mordants—but switching could be costly. Ultimately, the researchers hope their findings prompt both industry change and greater consumer awareness. “Everything that we’re doing is only important and helpful if we talk about it,” Avello said. Do you have a health story to share with Newsweek? Do you have a question about lead exposure ? Let us know viaView Editorial & AI Guidelines
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