81% of tested Dollar Store products contain chemicals linked to illness and disabilities

A report has been recently released to the public suggesting that a lot of Dollar Store products contain hazardous chemicals, including plasticizers.

Healthy Stuff collaborated with the Campaign for Healthier Solutions and they conducted a study that proves 81% of the products in the famous retail store contain toxic chemicals.

The report entitled A Day Late and a Dollar Short: Discount Retailers are Falling Behind on Safer Chemicals states that tests have been done to 164 products, including toys, jewelry, household items, and school supplies.

133 of those products supposedly have dangerous contents that should concern the public, as revealed by Healthy Holistic Living.

To take action, the campaign sent letters to the CEOs of the four top-most Dollar store chains. These chains are Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and 99 Cents Only.

The letter urges the companies to cease the selling of their hazardous products and to follow the rules and policies that will provide safety to the consumers, as well as the business itself. 

Dollar Stores are known to be very popular among low-income families since these families are the company’s primary target market.

The National Coordinator for the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, Jose T. Bravo, explained that a lot of people who are not so fortunate tend to do their shopping at the Dollar stores.

He added, “We are already disproportionately affected by pollution and lack of adequate medical care, and now we know we’re filling our homes and our bodies with chemicals released from Dollar store products. This needs to stop.”

Meanwhile, Jeff Gearhart, the Healthy Stuff Research Director, claimed that the retail store’s products are some of the “poorest performing [products] from a chemical hazard perspective.” He also mentioned his concern regarding the hazardous plasticizers in some of the products.

Phthalates are one of the chemicals that have been mentioned in the report. This type of chemical has been known to cause many health issues including birth defects, reduced fertility, learning disabilities, and diabetes.

Polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) or vinyl have also been found in Dollar store products. This health hazard can cause asthma and other lung-related problems.