Many Halloween costumes contain toxic chemicals like lead, cadmium and BPA, which can be harmful, particularly for children, when worn or stored.
Alden Wicker reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Halloween costumes, designed for single use, often contain toxic substances like lead and BPA.
- Regulations cover only a few chemicals, and some costume sellers don’t meet even these standards.
- Exposure to these chemicals can happen not just while wearing the costume but also during storage or washing.
Key quote:
"If it has that warning on there, that’s a sign that either there’s something in there, or they didn’t even care enough to evaluate whether there’s something in there.”
— Scott Echols, chief impact officer at ZDHC, a fashion industry group focused on “detoxing” apparel, footwear and accessories
Why this matters:
Toxic chemicals in Halloween costumes pose a particular danger to children, with potential long-term health effects. Since regulations are limited, it’s important to be cautious and consider safer alternatives like secondhand or DIY costumes.
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