Urgent warning as toxic ‘forever chemicals’ like lead found in 30% of Dollar Tree products including in children’s toys

TOXIC chemicals have been discovered in a whopping 30 percent of products at Dollar Tree Canada and Dollarama, a new study claims.

The report conducted by organization Environmental Defence Canada alleged that "forever chemicals" like lead are in tons of items, including children's toys.

The study found that dollar store products, including headphones and children’s toys, contain toxic levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and antimony.

However, a spokesperson with Dollarama refuted the claims, telling The U.S. Sun that the report "includes numerous incorrect assumptions and claims regarding Dollarama's business practices and products."

Dr Jane McArthur with Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment called for government change after allegedly discovering the toxic substances.

“Given the adverse health impacts of these hazardous substances to children, particularly for families who cannot buy their way out of these product-based exposures, we need the government to take urgent action and for companies to own up to their role in preventing these harms," McArthur said.

"We hope the Canadian government demonstrates their concern for impacted communities and strengthens federal chemicals legislation this fall.”

According to the report, around 30 percent of products tested at Dollar Tree and 25 percent of those at Dollarama contained heavy metals such as lead, along with other toxic chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenols, and PFAS or “forever chemicals.”

These chemicals, even in small amounts, are said to be linked to reproductive, behavioral, and metabolic impacts and chronic diseases such as cancer, asthma, and diabetes.

The Canadian government requires products to be observed for lead in both imports and products made in the country.

But, the report alleges the enforcement is “spotty.”

It said that retailers may use a restricted substance management tool that allows their supply chain to disclose toxic ingredients within a private database but not to customers.

Both stores had cash register receipts tested containing bisphenol-S (BPS), and all of the food cans tested contained toxins, according to the report.

The microwave popcorn packaging tested reportedly contained PFAS.

"Product safety is Dollarama's utmost priority, and we have strict processes and controls in place to monitor product safety and quality," a Dollarama spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.

"We adhere to and are held to the very same standards as all other Canadian retailers, as are our products, many of which come from the very same sources as those sold by other major national retailers."

"The four Dollarama products identified in the report (stereo headphones, earbuds, a pencil pouch and an activity tracker) all meet applicable Canadian product regulations and are safe to use for their intended purposes."

The statement from Dollarama also claims that the receipt paper used in store is BPA-free.

The report noted those exposed to lead tend to be found in low-income and racialized communities, causing severe IQ and brain damage.

The report further noted that kids are known to put items in their mouths.

Specifically, lead was found in the solder, or the metal of several dollar store products from both Dollarama and Dollar Tree, such as headphones, fart machines, and activity trackers, which allegedly contained as much as 70 percent lead.

The outer ring of a set of headphones exceeded the limit of 90 mg/kg by 24 times.

Toxic plasticizers, according to the report, were found in Hair Clips, dolls, Pony, Funny Teeth, receipts, and food can linings at many of the stores.

These can cause endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, hormone-related cancer, and neurodevelopmental and cardiovascular effects.

The products were tested using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer and a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR)49.

Dollar Tree did not respond to requests for comment from The U.S. Sun.