 Media Center > May 24th Media Resources
Children’s PVC Products Sold at Target Contain Lead
New testing reveals that Target sells some children’s PVC products that contain lead, a potent neurotoxin. In April, the Ecology Center tested a few children’s PVC products for the presence of lead. Two of the products tested positive for lead at levels above the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 600ppm lead standard for lead-containing paint. The yellow boots tested 550% or 5 1/2 times higher then the CPSC standard. The blue/white boots tested 450% or 4 1/2 times higher then the CPSC standard. In the past year, Target has been forced to recall other children’s products containing lead (see here and here).
Past testing has demonstrated that some children’s toys, lunchboxes, baby bibs, mini-blinds, and other PVC products may contain elevated levels of lead. Children’s PVC toys often contain other toxic additives such as phthalates, which have been banned in Europe.
Test Results:
Circo yellow boots: 3,286 ppm
Circo infant shoes – blue material: 2,700ppm
Circo infant shoes – white material: 217ppm
Children’ baseball glove – black material: not-detected
Children’s baseball glove – green material: not-detected
The Ecology Center ran the tests on April 2, 2007 using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, which identifies the elemental composition of any material in less than 60 seconds.
Photo of products:
Photo credit: Ecology Center
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