A Canadian environmental organization is calling for more transparency and better enforcement of national toxic chemicals regulations after more than a quarter of items purchased at popular dollar stores tested positive for substances such as lead.
The Environmental Defense report is based on an analysis of dozens of products, including electronics, toys, canned foods and microwave popcorn.
One of the main concerns is that the Canadian Environmental Protection Act currently only limits the level of toxic substances in what is considered to be the externally “accessible” part of a product.
The solder inside some earphones and toys has tested positive for lead levels 8,000 times higher than the maximum allowed on the outside of the items.
According to Cassie Barker, manager of Environmental Defence’s toxic substances program, a product can break or wear out, so the limits should apply to the whole thing rather than just the parts that are accessible when new.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says he will read the report and is open to making changes to the law, which is already the subject of a legislative update that will be debated in the House municipalities this fall.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 31, 2022.