Harmful chemicals found in toys and canned food at US discount stores

theguardian.com:

An alarming number of products purchased at US dollar stores, including many children’s toys, contain harmful chemicals, according to a report released today.

Researchers tested 226 products purchased at five popular retailers for chemicals, including phthalates and lead, and found that 120, or more than half, had at least one chemical of concern. Among the products that tested positive were colorful baby toys and Disney-themed headphones.

“As a parent, I should be able to buy a product without expecting to poison my child,” said Jose Bravo, national coordinator at the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, a coalition that calls on dollar stores to phase out hazardous chemicals from their products.

The tests found chemicals like lead and phthalates, which is associated with higher rates of childhood cancer. They also found products like fake teeth that were made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals and can harm reproductive and cognitive development. Children are especially vulnerable to low-level exposure found in bottles, toys, appliances and personal care products.

“There are known substitutes for these hormone-disrupting chemical hazards,” said Jeff Gearhart, research director of Ecology Center Healthy Stuff Lab, the group which tested the products. “The fact that they continue to be used in these low cost products that dollar stores sell is a real problem.”

Also testing positive for these potentially harmful chemicals were canned foods, which were found to have BPA coating, an endocrine disruptor that can leach into food and drinks. Non-stick cookware and popcorn packaging had presence ofPFAS, the waterproof “forever chemical” that has been associated with wide ranging health effects,