NEWS

The TOXICS IN PACKAGING CLEARINGHOUSE issued an assessment of Heavy Metals in Packaging: A Focus on Flexible PVC from Discount Retail Chain Stores

The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) was formed in the US in 1992 to promote, support, and help coordinate the implementation of the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation for the 19 member states that have Toxics in Packaging requirements. The legislation was developed in an effort to reduce the amount of heavy metals (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, and Hexavalent Chromium) in packaging and packaging components. This legislation limits the concentration of heavy metals to 100 ppm total for all the metals.

TPCH released a report on 29 June 2012 with the results of a survey it conducted to assess the degree of compliance with state toxic in packaging laws in the target sector, specifically ”dollar” and discount retail chain stores; and to identify noncompliant packaging. This report, focused on the flexible Polyvinylchloride (PVC) packaging of product samples purchased from dollar/discount retail chain stores.

Methodology

*Total 61 samples were selected from six discount chains plus the “dollar bins” at two major retailers;

* Stores were selected for multi-state presence

* Stores were located in seven member states

* Packaging materials were screened for heavy metals by hand-held XRF

* A list of failed samples was sent to all member states

* Member states purchased additional samples of failed products for another round of XRF testing

 Report of the packages screened:

In total 61 selected samples, 24 packages (39%) failed XRF testing for Cadmium; 1 also failed for lead.

Additional Information:
http://www.toxicsinpackaging.org/docs/tpch_discount_retail_chain_screening_report.pdf