University Themed Products Contain Toxic Chemicals
A new study conducted by HealthyStuff.org found that many university themed products sold at top retailers contained one or more hazardous chemicals, including arsenic, lead, bromine, chlorine, mercury, phthalates, and cadmium. The researchers found that university licensed products routinely exceed the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission’s standards for these chemicals, specifically for lead and phthalates.
Several of the tested products contained banned phthalates and high levels of lead. A University of North Carolina lunch bag purchased from Walmart contained phthalates banned by the CPSC in children’s items and levels of lead that exceed the CPSC regulation. Similarly, a Michigan State University seat cushion purchased from Kroger and University of Central Florida car mat purchased at Walmart both contained banned phthalates and lead exceeding CPSC regulations.
Arsenic, lead, bromine, mercury, cadmium, and many phthalates have been designated by the State of California as chemicals known to cause cancer and/or reproductive harm. Under Proposition 65, manufacturers and retailers selling products containing such chemicals must provide consumers with a health hazard warning.
A few specific statistics found in the study conducted by HealthyStuff.org:
- Of the 18 products screened for phthalates, 16 tested positive for the presence of phthalate plasticizers banned by the CPSC in children’s products
- 71 percent (46 of 65) of the products contained at least one or more chemicals of concern, such as lead, mercury, phthalates, and toxic flame retardants
- Over one third (25 of 65) of the products contained at least two or more chemicals of concern
- Five of the products tested contained lead above 100 ppm
- Two products tested had high levels of arsenic
- A University of Michigan Deluxe Key Ring contained 1,230 ppm of mercury
The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.