Toxic Products Sold at Dollar Stores

A “Frozen”-themed hair set from Five Below was found to contain toxic PVC components (which contains dangerous chemical additives the can cause cancer, immune system damage, and hormone disruption) and ortho-phthalate plasticizer, a chemical that makes plastics flexible and have been linked to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.

Think twice before buying those Squishy Unicorn Headphones at Five Below; they also contain ortho-phthalate plasticizer.

Many children’s headphones these days are “kid safe,” meaning that the volume can’t be made loud enough to potentially damage their hearing. Unfortunately, they still may contain toxic chemicals. These were found to contain TDCIPP (a probable carcinogen) in the earphone foam as well as lead (which can cause anemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage with high exposure) in the solder.

These Minnie Mouse headphones from Five Below were also found to contain PVC components, ortho-phthalate plasticizer, and lead, as well as TCPP flame retardant, which increases cell toxicity and affects fetal development.

These kid safe headphones, an “Avengers” tie-in, also contain PVC components, TCPP flame retardant, and lead in the solder.

Five Below’s Superman headphones had the same toxic chemicals as the “Avengers” headphones, with the addition of ortho-phthalate plasticizer.

You might just want to add a little Disco fun to bathtime, but you’re also inviting ortho-phthalate plasticizer and lead to the party.

Yes, even Campbell’s is guilty of using toxic chemicals in their packaging. Specifically, the can is coated with a PVC copolymer, which is mostly used in adhesives. Diseases including angiosarcoma, liver cancer, liver disease, brain cancer, Raynaud’s syndrome, and acro-osteolysis can be directly linked to PVC.

Crazily enough, even the receipts can be toxic! Many store receipts (not just ones from dollar stores) are made using bisphenol S (BPS), which, along with its cousin PBA, has been linked to hormone disruption.

Nowadays, most nonstick pans are no longer coated with BPA, which has been linked to hormone disruption as well as increased cancer susceptibility and abnormalities in brain development and fat metabolism in children. It’s recommended that if you’re in the market for a nonstick pan, you make sure it’s labeled “BPA-free.” The Cooking Concepts Pizza Pan sold by Dollar Tree is not BPA-free.

And while we’re on the topic, Dollar Tree’s Cooking Concepts nonstick cake pan is also coated with BPA.

Sadly, when it comes to nonstick pans, BPA isn’t the only toxic offender. The 10-inch Family Chef nonstick frying pan sold at Family Dollar is coated with PTFE (PFAS), a long-lasting chemical that may be harmful to humans with prolonged exposure.

Your kid might want to goof off with these Funny Teeth from Dollar Tree, but they’re made with PVC compounds as well as DOTP plasticizer, which is safer than phthalate-based plasticizers but still requires further study.

This music-making toy car may be fun for very small children to play with, but it was also found to contain more than 17% lead in the solder.

Once again, headphones are the offender; in this case, the Vivitar Kidsafe Stereo Headphones sold at Family Dollar contain PVC as well as phthalate- and DOTP-based plasticizers.

This audio cable might be compatible with most audio devices; unfortunately, it too contains PVC as well as phthalate- and DOTP-based plasticizers.

These earbuds are also made with PVC, as well as DOTP plasticizer and lead in the solder.

The lining of popcorn bags is coated with a series of chemicals to prevent grease from soaking through, but the coating on Pop Weaver popcorn bags sold at Dollar Tree contains fluorine, which can cause chalky-white, irregularly distributed patches to form on the surface of tooth enamel when ingested in high quantities. Excessive fluorine consumption can also affect bone development in children and affect the kidneys and thyroid.

Dolly Mixed Vegetables cans from Dollar Tree were found to contain an epoxy (similar to a glue) made from BPA.

The Deerfield brand mixed vegetables cans at Dollar Tree were also found to be made with a BPA-based resin.

Even ol’ Orville Redenbacher is guilty of using fluorine in its grease-proof coating at Dollar General, in a level higher than that of Pop Weaver.

This cake pan sold at Dollar General is coated with PTFE (Teflon) and PES, both polymers that experts have suggested require more study due to their ubiquity.

Between the teeth and these lips, the dollar store is apparently no place to get wacky. Sold at Dollar General, these contain both PVC and a DOTP-based plasticizer.

The interior of this can of shredded chicken sold at Dollar General was found to be coated with a copolymer containing PVC.

The brand of these nonstick pans may be “Evolution,” but clearly they haven’t evolved beyond being coated with a BPA-based epoxy.

Like many other earbuds sold at dollar stores, these contain chemicals of concern including PVC compounds, phthalate-based plasticizer, and lead in the solder.

Act II’s Butter Lover Microwave Popcorn may be buttery, but it’ll also provide you with a dose of fluorine.

Summer may be inside this can of tomato paste, but there’s a PVC-based copolymer on the outside.

The can containing these sardines sold at 99 Cents Only Stores was coated with a BPA-based epoxy.

Libby’s is a very popular brand of Vienna sausages, but this can from 99 Cents Only Stores was coated with a PVC-based copolymer.