Halloween costumes scary in more ways than one

By Amanda Sebert, Consultant and Deema Dabbagh, Environmental Health Intern, Massachusetts This Halloween, we learned we have been scared for the wrong reasons. Our fears of ghouls and goblins are (probably) fictitious, but our newfound concerns that our costumes and decorations are dangerous threats to our health are only too real. A recent study conducted by HealthyStuff.org and released in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Minnesota by Clean Water Action and our coalitions partners, found elevated levels of toxic chemicals in popular Halloween costumes, accessories and party supplies. The study tested 106 types of Halloween gear—purchased at national retailers such as CVS, Kroger, Party City, Target, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens—for substances linked to asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, liver toxicity and cancer. In Massachusetts, we searched CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, and Target and found many of the toxic products on our local store shelves (pictured). There are no ingredient labels on these items and even if there were labels, how many people know the difference between safe and harmful chemicals, or what the synergistic effects are? You shouldn't need a degree in chemical engineering to celebrate Halloween without toxic chemicals. The study found that seasonal products consistently contain poorly regulated toxic chemicals. Much of this holiday merchandise is marketed for children and pose unnecessary and avoidable health hazards. For example a Toddler Batman Costume, so popular at Walmart it was sold out within a 50 mile radius of Boston, is made up of multiple chemical hazards. The belt contains such high levels of phthalates that if it was considered to be a “toy” it would have been illegal.  We found the Spiderman costume (pictured) at our local CVS in downtown Boston. Like 39% of the products tested in this study, the costume contains tin at levels suggesting organotin stabilizers, which are endocrine disruptors and can damage the developing brain and immune system. Knowledge is power. This Halloween we learned what's really scary. Toxins in consumer products can’t stop our fun, and by spreading awareness and using strength in numbers to push for legislation that replaces dangerous toxins with safer alternatives we can achieve higher standards in product safety. For complete product sample data, photos of products tested, and more information about what you as a consumer can do is now available at www.HealthyStuff.org.