Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in a Majority of Dollar Store Products from Four Retailers

In conjunction with the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, HealthyStuff.org tested 164 products purchased at four major discount retailers—Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and 99 Cents Only—in six U.S. states.  
 
Products were tested for antimony, arsenic, bromine, chlorine, lead, mercury, and tin. A subset of products determined to contain polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC or vinyl) were further tested for the presence of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers.
 
A few products contained excessive lead, including one containg over 6,000 ppm lead. Overall we continue to see fewer product on the market containing lead and cadmium, two potent neurotoxins. Both of these chemicals have been considerable regulatory by the US CPSC.  However the study also revealed that vinyl plastic and toxic phthalates continue to be in widespread use in discount store products.  Several products are highlighted below.
·         81% of the products (133 out of 164) contained at least one hazardous chemical above levels of concern, and 49% of products contained two or more.
·         38% of the products tested (63 out of 164) contained vinyl plastic. 
·         Of the vinyl products, 38 were tested for plasticizers. 32% (12 out of 38) of these contained toxic phthalates above the CPSC limits for children’s products.
·         Three products contained a phthalate (DiBP) not regulated by CPSC but found to be toxic by the CPSC. One product contained another unregulated phthalate (DDP), for which data are lacking on carcinogenic, reproductive, and developmental effects.

Product Highlights:
·         Family Dollar retailed Earrings by mix & co.: 6,500 ppm lead and 5,900 ppm chlorine
·         Dollar General retailed Headbands: 18.9% DiBP and 1,000 ppm antimony
·         Dollar Tree retailed Silly Straws : 1.5% DEHP and 1,300 ppm tin 
·         Family Dollar retailed Vinyl Floor Runner: 18.5% DINP, 3.15% DIDP, 2.88% DEHP
·         Family Dollar retailed Custom Grip Steering Wheel Cover: 16.7% DEHP, 1.7% DINP, 0.20% DIBP, 0.11% DDP
·         Dollar Tree retailed Spider Man Dog Tags: 153 ppm lead, 11,500 ppm bromine, 3,000 ppm antimony, 140 ppm tin 
·         Dollar Tree retailed Pencil Pouch: 13.7% DEHP, 0.32% DINP 
·         Family Dollar retailed Bathtub Appliques  12.3% DiBP, 6.9% DEHP
 
Download report Summary by state
Download Report Summary by retailer

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