NERC in the News

Packaging & Waste Briefing

Environmental Leader; July 22, 2011

A study by the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse has found widespread inaccuracies in testing for lead and cadmium in packaging samples. The TPCH sent packaging samples to six private analytical laboratories and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control Environmental Chemistry Laboratory.

Four out of the seven reported unacceptable results, defined as varying by more than 25 percent from the average of all laboratories’ results, while one laboratory with offices nationwide reported inaccurate results for five out of the eight samples they tested. The good news, TPCH says, is that only one packaging sample out of the 42 analyzed resulted in a false negative, which incorrectly indicated that the sample was in compliance with state laws.

The use of lead and cadmium is restricted in packaging by law in 19 U.S. states.

TPCH is administered by the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc.