Dollarama’s baby products are accused of containing toxic heavy metals

A new study published in late August by Environmental Defense found that children’s items sold at Dollarama and Dollar Tree contain heavy metals such as lead and other toxic chemicals.

The report revealed that a variety of foods, toys and baby items contain phthalates, bisphenols and “eternal chemicals” or PFAS. These chemicals are particularly harmful to vulnerable populations such as children.

An activity tracker and earphones for children contain 8,000 times the outdoor lead level established for children’s products.

“Despite the tendency for these products to break down and expose their dangerous hidden components, there is a lack of regulation for lead in products,” said Cassie Barker, senior program manager for toxics at Environmental Protection. This regulatory loophole is a loophole used by dollar stores to sell products containing high levels of lead without breaking the law.”

According to experts, there should be no safety limit for lead. Children’s products simply cannot contain this dangerous substance.

According to the report, at least one in four products tested contained toxic chemicals, including lead in children’s products and electronics such as headphones.

All receipts tested contained bisphenol-S (BPS).

All cans tested contained toxic chemicals (60% with BPA, 40% with PVC and polyester resin).

All microwave popcorn packages tested contained PFAS.

Exposure to heavy metals and hazardous chemicals, even in small amounts, can affect reproduction, behavior, metabolism, and chronic diseases such as cancer, asthma, and diabetes.

Children are especially sensitive to the effects of these products because of their rapidly growing bodies.

Toxic exposures have also been linked to lower IQ, autism spectrum and learning disabilities such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The report highlights that Canada’s regulatory system has failed to adequately protect public health, particularly populations disproportionately affected by toxic substances.

Many low-income and racially disadvantaged communities already face systemic economic barriers and cannot avoid toxic exposures by choosing expensive non-toxic alternatives.

“National and low-income communities are targeted by low-cost retailers who, despite their own environmental and social responsibility report, sell products to these communities that are loaded with harmful ingredients,” said Dr. lamented Ingrid Waldron. Inequalities and Community Health (ENRICH) Project, a collaborative research and community engagement project on environmental racism in Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities.

“We must ensure equal protection for individuals and communities whose economic, geographic and socio-economic privileges allow them to escape these toxic exposures,” she added.