chemicals
If a product you purchase might hurt you, you have the right to make an informed decision.
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Lead is a naturally-occurring element that is highly toxic to humans, especially children. Lead exposure can affect almost every organ in the body, and can cause reproductive toxicity in both men and women. In children, exposure to lead can cause low IQ, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, anemia, and more. In pregnant women, exposure to lead can cause premature birth and low birth weight, organ damage in the developing fetus, and miscarriage.
Despite the fact that lead poisoning is well established and widely understood, manufacturers continue to use lead in a variety of consumer products, including construction materials, batteries, ceramic pigments and glazes, semiconductors, and ammunition. Some of these products are even made specifically for babies.
MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of lead in the following products:
Paparazzi jewelry - (multiple)
Alter Eco - 85% Cacao Classic Blackout chocolate bar
Back to Nature - Belgian Dark 72% chocolate bar
Gelson’s - Le Belge Chocolatier 72% chocolate bar
Trader Joe’s - Uganda Dark Chocolate Bar 85%.
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Cadmium is a heavy metal that is produced during the smelting of other economically significant metals, such as copper and zinc. It is also used intentionally in the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries, metal plating, paints, plastics, and fertilizers. Much of the cadmium exposure in humans comes from foods grown in cadmium-contaminated soil.
Low amounts of cadmium are acceptable, but high levels of cadmium (including small but steady exposure over a long period of time) can cause serious adverse health effects, including stomach irritation and nausea/vomiting, kidney disease, weakened bones, developmental toxicity, and male reproductive toxicity.
MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of cadmium in the following products:
Paparazzi jewelry - (multiple)
Alter Eco - 85% Cacao Classic Blackout chocolate bar
Back to Nature - Belgian Dark 72% chocolate bar
Trader Joe’s - Uganda Dark Chocolate Bar 85%.
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Phthalates are manmade chemicals that are used to increase durability and flexibility in plastic products. These “plasticizers” can be found in numerous applications, from vinyl flooring to lubricating oils, children’s backpacks to medical equipment, PVC tubing to shower curtains and bath mats. As these common household products break down over time (normal wear and tear), the phthalates are slowly released into the environment. These deposits accumulate in our cars and homes, settling like dust over surfaces where they can then be ingested (hand to mouth) or inhaled.
There are hundreds of phthalates, and not all of them are equally dangerous. Many of them are still being studied to determine their safety – and new phthalates are always being developed by industry. The highest risk phthalates (that we currently know of) are DEHP, DINP, and DIDP. Exposure to these types of phthalates can cause developmental toxicity, birth defects, male reproductive toxicity, and cancer.
MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of DEHP, DINP, or DIDP in the following products:
AD Sutton and Sons - clear backpack.
Avery Elle - zippered vinyl mesh bag
Brybelly Holdings, Inc - Vinyl-Coated Hand Weights, Dumbbell Sets, Free Weights
Buffalo Games - Sensory Seek and Find Chuckle and Roar Bear
Claire's - Holographic Y2K Shaker Mini Backpack
Continental SEL, LLC dba Healthy You Amazon - Vinyl Coated Yellow 2lb Hexagon Dumbbells
Cordova Safety Products - Yellow Raincoat 2-Piece with Corduroy Collar and Detachable Hood
Evolved Novelties, Inc - Red Bondage Tape
Fantasia Sales, Inc - Costume Stethoscope
FROGSHOP INC.; York Barbell Company, Inc. - York Barbell Vinyl Fitbell, Yellow, 4 lb
Guess? Inc - Burell Travel Bags
Hobby Lobby - Clear Pouch 2331569
Innovative Home Creations - freestanding craft caddy
Intora, Inc. dba Sportsheets; The Pleasure Chest - Sincerely, Sportsheets Amber Ball Gag
Kitcheniva - clear transparent jewelry storage book
Laura Ashley USA, Inc - Under Bed Storage Bags
Mabis Healthcare, Inc - Spectrum Nurse Stethoscope
MCC Brands, LLC - KINGART Vinyl/Mesh Bag with Handle
McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc - PVC Medical Tubing
Pacific Arc, Inc - Spring Bow Compass Bag
Polyconcept North America - Leed’s Promotional Tote
ProArt - 15” x 18” Mesh and Vinyl Zipper Bag
Prop Boutique Corporation; Sure Sure & Company LLC - Skeleteen Doctor's Stethoscope Kids Costume Accessories
Ross Stores Inc - Outerbanks Provisions First Aid Kit
Seachoice Marine Products - Life Jacket Tote Bag
Sullivan’s - “Sassy Tote” sewing organizer
Team Beans - clear tote bag
Total Resources International - Be Smart Get Prepared 201-Piece First Aid Kit
West Chester Holdings, Inc - PVC-Coated Work Gloves with Knit Wrist
Zeckos - Patent and Transparent Vinyl Evening Bag with Cosmetic Bag
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, refer to a suite of chemicals that are used to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. These resistant products include clothing like rain gear, furniture that won’t stain, food packaging that won’t get soggy, non-stick cooking surfaces like Teflon, and many more. Due to their inherent nature, PFAS do not break down over time, making them “forever chemicals” that bioaccumulate in our environment and our bodies.
PFAS have been linked to decreased thyroid and liver function, reproductive toxicity including infertility, developmental toxicity including accelerated puberty, hormonal disruption, and cancer of the prostate, kidney, and testicles. As with many of these environmental contaminant, communities of color are more likely to be exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. (1)
(1) Citation
MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of PFAS in the following products:
Lunchskins - paper straws.
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Hexavalent chromium is one form (VI) of elemental chromium. It is created by an industrial process, and chromium VI compounds are used as pigments in dyes, paints, and inks. Other forms of chromium, such as chromium III, are safely used in many applications, most notably in leather production. However, sometimes mistakes in leather manufacturing can result in chromium VI residues in the finished leather.
Hexavalent chromium is well established as a carcinogen. Aside from causing cancer, exposure to chromium VI can also result in developmental toxicity, contact dermatitis, and reproductive toxicity in both men and women.
Hexavalent chromium is a well established carcinogen.
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TiO2 is one form of titanium, a common metal. It’s often used as a coloring agent in foods, candies, and cosmetics (pigment grade TiO2), or to absorb ultraviolet light in sunscreens (nanomaterial TiO2). Regardless of form, titanium dioxide becomes dangerous when it is found in airborne, unbound particles of respirable size.
Titanium dioxide is classified as a cancer-causing agent when small particles are inhaled. It is not considered dangerous when the TiO2 remains bound within a product matrix, which is why it is safe for use in foods despite being very dangerous when aerosolized.
MONARCH has tested and discovered unbound, respirable particle of TiO2 in the following products:
AmScam Holdings Inc - Gold Hairspray
Clairol-Procter & Gamble - Root Touch-Up by Nice 'n Easy Color Refreshing Spray
Cosnova Inc. - Catrice Cosmetics Prime & Fine Illuminating Dewy Glow Spray
dpHUE - Color Touch-Up Spray
Ebin New York, Inc - Tinted Lace Aerosol
Farouk Systems Inc - Chi Shine Infusion Hair Shine Spray
Henkel Corporation - MySpotlight Rose Gold Shimmer Spray
High Beams - Intense Spray-On Hair Color
Mana Products Inc - Hush Prism Airbrush Spray Temporary Hair Color
Kevin Murphy USA Inc - KEVIN MURPHY Shimmer Me Blonde
Ivy Enterprises Inc - Kiss Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray Tintation
Lime Crime, Inc - Unicorn Hair Star Mist
Markwins Beauty Brands, Inc - wet n wild My Reality Is Just Different Shimmer Setting Spray Alice In Wonderland Collection
The Procter & Gamble Company - Aussie Glitzy Blue Spray
Sebastian Trilliant - Thermal Protection and Shimmer-Complex Spray
John Paul Mitchell Systems - Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Toning Spray
Petite N Pretty LLC - LA Luster Glitter Hair Spray for Kids
Punky Colour - Temporary Hair Color Spray
Rogue & Co LLC - R+CO Bleu Reflective Shine Hairspray
Rita Hazan Products Inc - Root Concealer Touch Up Spray
Roux Laboratories Inc - Roux Glitter Addict
Spirit Halloween Stores Inc - Metallic Hair Spray
Sundial Brands LLC - Sugarcane Extract & Meadowfoam Seed Silicone Free Miracle Strobe Shine Spray
Surface Hair Care Inc - Surface Hair Pure Blonde Violet Leave-In Toning Spray
Vernon Francois - Vernon François® Shine Spray