Testing* Plastic Mini-Blinds and Vinyl Coated Cords
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1. Why should I be concerned about vinyl mini-blinds? On June 24, 1996, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that vinyl mini-blinds contain lead and are a potential source of lead poisoning in young children. Most plastic mini-blinds are manufactured in Mexico or Southeast Asia. For many years these manufacturers have added lead plastisizers or stabilizers to the plastic used in the mini-blinds. Continued exposure to sunlight causes this plastic to break down or "chalk", leaving a fine lead dust on the exposed side of the miniblind. This dust has been found to contain very high levels of lead (up to 66,000 ug/ft2, or 1,400 times the EPA allowable limit for dust on floors). The leaded dust can fall onto windowsills when the blinds are raised, lowered, cleaned or "dusted". Young children are at risk when they touch the blind itself or the windowsill and then put their fingers into their mouths. 2. Why should I be concerned about vinyl-coated cords? Although CPSC has never addressed this issue, many cords found on telephones, computers, and other household appliances are coated with plastic similar to the plastic used for mini-blinds. One survey conducted by Hybrivet Systems, Inc. found lead in 23 out of 27 cords tested. After handling the cords for ten (10) seconds the skin on the hands and fingers also tested positive for lead. Method: How do I test my vinyl mini-blinds and electrical cords for lead? Activate a LeadCheck® Swab according to the Instruction Manual. Rub the Swab on the side of the mini-blind that faces the window glass, for about 30 seconds Examine the Swab tip for a pink to red color. If the tip of the Swab turns pink to red, the test is positive for a hazardous amount of lead. Interpretation: If my vinyl mini-blinds test positive for lead, what should I do? Lead containing mini-blinds should be carefully removed from the window, placed in plastic trash bags and taken out of the house. Wash the window area and floor below with a detergent solution. Rinse areas thoroughly with clean water. You may test for the presence of any remaining lead dust with LeadCheck® Swabs (see Instructions). Contact your local health department for instructions on how to safely dispose of the lead containing vinyl mini-blinds. If my electrical cords test positive for lead, what should I do? Unfortunately there is no easy replacement for lead containing electrical cords. Simply wipe the cord’s surface with damp cleaning cloth or baby wipe from time to time to remove any lead dust. Do not let children touch the cords. *LeadCheck® Swabs are a versatile and sensitive screening tool for the detection of lead on any surface. This applications note provides a suggested method to allow testing for a specific application. Additional information and help are available by calling 800-262-5323 or 508-651-7881.