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Dollar Store Report, 2015

Published on December 1, 2015

In conjunction with the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, Healthy Stuff tested 164 products purchased at four major discount retailers—Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and 99 Cents Only—and found toxic chemicals in a majority of tested products.  

Products were tested for antimony, arsenic, bromine, chlorine, lead, mercury, and tin. A subset of products determined to contain polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC or vinyl) were further tested for the presence of phthalate and non-phthalate plasticizers.

A few products contained excessive lead, including one containg over 6,000 ppm lead. Overall we continue to see fewer product on the market containing lead and cadmium, two potent neurotoxins. Both of these chemicals have been considerable regulatory by the US CPSC. However, the study also revealed that vinyl plastic and toxic phthalates continue to be in widespread use in discount store products.  Several products are highlighted below.

  • 81% of the products (133 out of 164) contained at least one hazardous chemical above levels of concern, and 49% of products contained two or more.
  • 38% of the products tested (63 out of 164) contained vinyl plastic. 
  • Of the vinyl products, 38 were tested for plasticizers. 32% (12 out of 38) of these contained toxic phthalates above the CPSC limits for children’s products.
  • Three products contained a phthalate (DiBP) not regulated by CPSC but found to be toxic by the CPSC. One product contained another unregulated phthalate (DDP), for which data are lacking on carcinogenic, reproductive, and developmental effects.

Product Highlights:

  • Family Dollar retailed Earrings by Mix & Co.: 6,500 ppm lead and 5,900 ppm chlorine
  • Dollar General retailed Headbands: 18.9% DiBP and 1,000 ppm antimony
  • Dollar Tree retailed Silly Straws : 1.5% DEHP and 1,300 ppm tin
  • Family Dollar retailed Vinyl Floor Runner: 18.5% DINP, 3.15% DIDP, 2.88% DEHP
  • Family Dollar retailed Custom Grip Steering Wheel Cover: 16.7% DEHP, 1.7% DINP, 0.20% DIBP, 0.11% DDP
  • Dollar Tree retailed Spider Man Dog Tags: 153 ppm lead, 11,500 ppm bromine, 3,000 ppm antimony, 140 ppm tin
  • Dollar Tree retailed Pencil Pouch: 13.7% DEHP, 0.32% DINP
  • Family Dollar retailed Bathtub Appliques  12.3% DiBP, 6.9% DEHP

Sample Listing

  Sample Name
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 1 Inch Poly Binder
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 10 Piece Storage Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 100 Mini Lights
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 3 Pack Squeeze Ducks
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 3 Ring Binder
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 50 Mini Indoor Lights
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 5pc Formula Car
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 60 in. Micro USB Cable
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item 8 Beaded Necklaces
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Adhesive Gem Strips
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Adult Poncho
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Artificial Nail Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Auto Bucket
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Avengers Assemble Backpack
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item B'Loonies
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Baby Bottle
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Barrettes - Set of 8
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Baseball Base Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Bath Toys
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Bath Tub Appliques
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Bathtub Fingerpaint Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Beaded Necklace
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Beads Perles
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Beads Perles #2
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Book Cover
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Bowling Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Boxing Gloves
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Bracelet and Earrings with Brown Jewel
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Cancer Awareness Accessories HOPE
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Cars Bread Shaped Container
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Christmas Straws
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Christmas Window Clings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Christmas Window Clings - Santas
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Clip-On Heart Earrings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Clip-On Jewelry
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Coffee Shop
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Cookie Tray Kit
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Custom Grip
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Die-Cast Metal Hand Cuffs
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Double Sided Earrings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Earrings Large Round Textured Edges 9 Pair
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Earrings Oval 9 Pair
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Earrings Small Round 12 Pair
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Earrings Small Round Smooth Edges 9 Pair
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Extension Cord 9 ft
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Extremely Me Blue Necklace and Earrings Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Extremely Me Dream Necklace and Earrings Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Eyeshadow
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fairies
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fairy Garden Blooms Placemat
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fairy Magic Placemat
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fantasy Dress-Up Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fashion Doll
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fashion Earrings - 3 Pairs
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fashion Girl Doll Black Hair
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fashion Girl Doll Blonde Hair
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fashion Jewelry - 3 Skulls
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fashion Jewelry - Silver Bracelet with Red Jewels
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fashion Necklace - Lucky Star
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Fashion Stylist
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Favors Surprises
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Flannel Back Tablecover
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Flannel Back Tablecover with Snowmen
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Flower Earrings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Garden Knee Pad
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Gel Sticker Clings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Glitter 4 Girls Tattoos
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Glitter Backpack Keychain
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Glow in the Dark Fun Glasses
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Gold Chain and Earrings Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Green and Pink Flip-Flops
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Green Binder
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Green Bowl
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Grip Liner
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Grow Creature
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Haunted Tattoos
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Headbands
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Heart Necklaces
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item High Shine Nail Polish
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Ice Rings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Infinity Beaded Bracelet - Bow
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Infinity Beaded Bracelet - Cross
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Infinity Beaded Bracelet - Heart
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Inflatable Dinosaur
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Interchangeable Hairgoods
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Jelly Clear Clog
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Jelly Clear Clog 2
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Jewelry Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Juice Squeezer
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Jumbo Necklace Gold Clock
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Jumpin' Frogs
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Just Be Earrings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Keychain Wallet
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Krazy Straw Mason
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Ladies' Handbag
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Latex Coated Palm Work Gloves
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Li'l Playdate Pal
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Lipgloss Wand and Comb Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Mermaid Sirene
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Mini Appetizer Spoons
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Mini Discs
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Minnie Mouse Backpack
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Monster High Tattoos
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item My Chic Collection Lovely Patsy Doll
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Paddleball
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Pencil Case - Jake
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Pencil Pouch
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Pencil Pouch - Sofia the First
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Pencil Pouch 3 Rings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Phone Wristlet
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Pink Spiked Ball
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Placemat
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Plastic Spoons
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Plastic Tablecover
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Polly Fashion Doll
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Princess 3 Brush, Comb & Mirror Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Princess Rings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Princess Rings 2
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Princess Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Princess Wand
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Reusable Document Envelope
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Reusable Gloves
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Reusable Water Bottle
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Round Plastic Table Cover
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Self-Adhesive Vinyl Floor Tiles
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Shower Curtain
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Shower Curtain - Polka Dots
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Silly Straws
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Silver Cross Necklace
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Skull Hand Jewelery
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Slide Pencil Case
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Slider Pencil Case - Blue
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Snap Hand
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Sofia the First Magical Light Up Necklace Activity
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Spirit Family Window Decals
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Stick-On Earrings & Rings Set
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Sticky Back Foam Sheets
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Stone Stretch Bracelet
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Stretch Ring
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Sweet Glitz Beauty Make Up Palette
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Table Tennis
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Tablecloth - Blue
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Tablecloth - Red and Green
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Teether Beads
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Texting Necklace
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Coin Bank
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Tiaras
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Treat Bags
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Tub Mat
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Tween Fun Glow
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Tween Fun Glow - 2
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Ultimate Spider Man Dog Tags
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Ultimate Spider-Man 3 Boys' Briefs
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item USB Charging Cable
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Vanillaroma
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Vinyl Floor Runner
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Watering Can
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Wedding Day
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Window Clings
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Window Clings - Decoration Theme
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Wireless Gear
Healthy Stuff item
Healthy Stuff item Zyrofoam