It seems we are all in a tizzy about the long-term effects of all sorts of additives and products we put in and around our bodies. Well, everyone except discount store owners.
When the Campaign for Healthier Solutions and HealthyStuff.org tested 164 products purchased at Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and 99 Cents Only in six U.S. states, the findings were more than disturbing. Eighty-one percent of products were found to contain at least one hazardous chemical like arsenic, bromine, chlorine, lead, mercury, and tin. And 49 percent of products contained two or more. A subset of products that measured high in containing polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC or vinyl) were further tested for the presence of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers.
Fewer products were found to contain lead and cadmium, two potent neurotoxins, but vinyl plastic and toxic phthalates continue to be in widespread use in discount store products.
The top three dollar store chains – Dollar General, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar – together operate almost 24,000 stores in the US. And many of these stores are found in small, rural communities where parents depend on buying products for their families.
Walmart and Target are responding to consumer demand for safer products, requiring their suppliers to phase out the most harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, the top dollar store CEOs haven’t responded to requests to get toxic chemicals off the shelves.
Read up on the 10 items you should definitely steer clear of when shopping at discount retailers.
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