Get the lead out — go with metal

Channel 2 recently tested some popular children lunchboxes and found that some contain lead. Granted, it’s under the vinyl covering that’s over the artwork on the lunchbox, but kids can still come in contact with the lead if the vinyl is ripped. This isn’t a new discovery, but is it something to worry about? Some think so; the manufacturers are being sued.

The concern is high enough to warrant some manufacturers to advertise their lunch boxes as "lead-free." Still, Houstonist prefers the old sturdy and cooler metal lunchboxes. Sure, they were dangerous, too, but more fun. They came in handy if you were coerced into a fight – try hitting a jerk with a vinyl lunchbox and see how far you get. The metal ones would teach them a lesson, and maybe even put an imprint of Superman on their body.

If you still have one of these old lunchboxes, you may want to sell it. You can make some good money off vintage boxes. An old KISS lunchbox is being sold for $208, while a Volkswagen van lunchbox is even more valuable (maybe we’ll bid on this for our Seattlest friends). We’re calling up Mom right now to look for our old Speed Racer lunchbox in the back of the pantry.

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Photo via flickr user Yuchiomega.