New study results released today should give pause to anyone who shops at Walgreens.
Ann Arbor-based Healthystuff.org purchased pet products,
children’s products, and other home goods from Walgreens stores and tested the
products for hazardous chemicals, including arsenic, lead, bromine, chlorine,
mercury and cadmium. The study is part of ongoing research at HealthyStuff.org
(a project of the Michigan-based nonprofit organization, the Ecology Center) on
harmful chemicals in consumer products sold by each of the top ten retailers in
the US. Previous results from other retailers can viewed at the
HealthyStuff.org Retailer Center.
children’s products, and other home goods from Walgreens stores and tested the
products for hazardous chemicals, including arsenic, lead, bromine, chlorine,
mercury and cadmium. The study is part of ongoing research at HealthyStuff.org
(a project of the Michigan-based nonprofit organization, the Ecology Center) on
harmful chemicals in consumer products sold by each of the top ten retailers in
the US. Previous results from other retailers can viewed at the
HealthyStuff.org Retailer Center.
Ecology Center researchers
tested 44 products for substances that have been linked to asthma, birth
defects, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, liver toxicity, and
cancer. Products tested in a laboratory setting included pet toys, children’s products, and other
everyday consumer products purchased at the nation’s largest drugstore chain,
Walgreens. Local advocates will release the study data and call on Walgreens to
Mind the Store at a press conference in Ann Arbor.
tested 44 products for substances that have been linked to asthma, birth
defects, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, liver toxicity, and
cancer. Products tested in a laboratory setting included pet toys, children’s products, and other
everyday consumer products purchased at the nation’s largest drugstore chain,
Walgreens. Local advocates will release the study data and call on Walgreens to
Mind the Store at a press conference in Ann Arbor.
“Retailers like
Walgreens have the responsibility to sell products that are safe, not toxic,”
said Mike Schade, Mind the Store campaign director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy
Families. “While other big retailers like Target and Walmart are beginning to
tackle toxic chemicals, Walgreens has yet to develop a comprehensive plan of
action to address unnecessary dangerous chemicals in the products they
sell.”
Walgreens have the responsibility to sell products that are safe, not toxic,”
said Mike Schade, Mind the Store campaign director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy
Families. “While other big retailers like Target and Walmart are beginning to
tackle toxic chemicals, Walgreens has yet to develop a comprehensive plan of
action to address unnecessary dangerous chemicals in the products they
sell.”
Scientists at
HealthyStuff.org tested 44 products from Walgreens, ranging from household
cleaning products, school supplies, pet toys and other everyday consumer
products. Many were found to have one or more chemicals, including PVC (vinyl)
plastic, phthalates, organotins and heavy metals that have been identified by
state and federal authoritative government bodies to be toxic to our health.
HealthyStuff.org tested 44 products from Walgreens, ranging from household
cleaning products, school supplies, pet toys and other everyday consumer
products. Many were found to have one or more chemicals, including PVC (vinyl)
plastic, phthalates, organotins and heavy metals that have been identified by
state and federal authoritative government bodies to be toxic to our health.
Phthalates are plasticizers — substances added to plastics to increase their
flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity.
flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity.
High resolution photos of
the specific products, some of which are Walgreens branded products, and test
results are available at HealthyStuff.org.
the specific products, some of which are Walgreens branded products, and test
results are available at HealthyStuff.org.
“Our new study shows
that some products sold at Walgreens contain toxic chemicals like phthalates,
flame retardants and vinyl plastic,” said Jeff Gearhart, research director
for the Ecology Center and HealthyStuff.org. “It shouldn’t be a case of
‘buyer beware,’ when shopping for consumer products, retailers have a
responsibility to offer safer products. As a result we have joined our partners
in the Mind the Store Campaign to call on Walgreens to get products containing
toxic chemicals off of their store shelves.”
that some products sold at Walgreens contain toxic chemicals like phthalates,
flame retardants and vinyl plastic,” said Jeff Gearhart, research director
for the Ecology Center and HealthyStuff.org. “It shouldn’t be a case of
‘buyer beware,’ when shopping for consumer products, retailers have a
responsibility to offer safer products. As a result we have joined our partners
in the Mind the Store Campaign to call on Walgreens to get products containing
toxic chemicals off of their store shelves.”
New research into toxic
chemicals in Walgreens products found:
chemicals in Walgreens products found:
* High levels of phthalates in a number of products sold at Walgreens,
including a 3-ring binder, vinyl shower curtain, iPod/iPhone charger, and
handbag purse.
including a 3-ring binder, vinyl shower curtain, iPod/iPhone charger, and
handbag purse.
* Of the 13 vinyl products
screened for phthalates, all 13 tested positive for regulated phthalates at
levels greater than 10,000 ppm. Examples include:
screened for phthalates, all 13 tested positive for regulated phthalates at
levels greater than 10,000 ppm. Examples include:
— A vinyl shower curtain
contained 18.2% of the phthalate DEHP.
contained 18.2% of the phthalate DEHP.
— A vinyl 3-ring binder
contained 14.3% of the phthalate DINP.
contained 14.3% of the phthalate DINP.
— Vinyl cleaning gloves
contained 37.5% of the phthalate DINP.
contained 37.5% of the phthalate DINP.
— A blue handbag purse
contained 4.5% of the phthalate DEHP.
contained 4.5% of the phthalate DEHP.
— An iPod/iPhone/iPad
charger contained 32.7% of the phthalate DINP.
charger contained 32.7% of the phthalate DINP.
* About 30% (13 of 44) of
the products tested contained high chlorine levels, suggesting they may be made
of the toxic plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl).
the products tested contained high chlorine levels, suggesting they may be made
of the toxic plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl).
* A pet tennis ball
contained elevated levels of lead.
contained elevated levels of lead.
About 27% of the products
tested contained antimony based flame retardants.
tested contained antimony based flame retardants.
* 20% of the products tested
contained organotins, which are used as additives to vinyl plastic.
contained organotins, which are used as additives to vinyl plastic.
Actor and activist Jennifer
Beals weighed in support of today’s actions: “It is my hope that Walgreens
listens to our message today. Everyone, regardless of income and education,
should have access to safe, non-toxic products. I admire and support all the
brave advocates who will be visiting their Walgreens store today in support of
safer chemicals.”
Beals weighed in support of today’s actions: “It is my hope that Walgreens
listens to our message today. Everyone, regardless of income and education,
should have access to safe, non-toxic products. I admire and support all the
brave advocates who will be visiting their Walgreens store today in support of
safer chemicals.”
Beals is an outspoken
public health advocate, having made two trips to Washington D.C. in support of
strong laws on toxic chemicals.
public health advocate, having made two trips to Washington D.C. in support of
strong laws on toxic chemicals.
In recent months, several
major national retailers including Walmart, Target, and Bed, Bath and Beyond
have announced significant new initiatives to disclose and limit the use of
chemicals that are known hazards and appear on the Mind the Store’s “Hazardous
100+” list.
major national retailers including Walmart, Target, and Bed, Bath and Beyond
have announced significant new initiatives to disclose and limit the use of
chemicals that are known hazards and appear on the Mind the Store’s “Hazardous
100+” list.
Walgreens is considered a “laggard,”
having undertaken no major initiatives to address toxic chemicals in their
supply chain and ignoring feedback from consumers and requests for meetings
from environmental health organizations.
having undertaken no major initiatives to address toxic chemicals in their
supply chain and ignoring feedback from consumers and requests for meetings
from environmental health organizations.
The Mind the Store
Campaign is coordinated by Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, which is
challenging the top 10 US retailers to get tough on toxic chemicals.
Campaign is coordinated by Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, which is
challenging the top 10 US retailers to get tough on toxic chemicals.
