"When you go and purchase a fast fashion Halloween costume, you're putting your kids probably in harm's way of toxic exposures," said Miriam Diamond, a professor in the earth sciences department at the University of Toronto. This statement reflects a growing concern about the safety of inexpensive, single-use costumes and the potential hazards they represent for children's health, especially given that these materials can contain known toxins linked to severe health risks.
The Center for Environmental Health previously found evidence of lead, cadmium and Bisphenol A (BPA) in garb sold at Halloween Express and Spirit Halloween, with levels of the chemicals well above the amount that requires a warning label, according to the agency's science lead Mihir Vohra. This highlights a significant issue with the oversight of children's costume safety and the necessity for better regulation of materials used in their production.
Apparel sold by fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu have also been found to have high levels of carcinogens, like phthalates, lead and formaldehyde, and in 2022, Disney character costumes sold at major retailers like Amazon, TJ Maxx and Ross, among others, were found to contain lead paint and subsequently recalled. This underscores a broader problem in the industry regarding the safety of materials in children’s clothing and the urgent need for consumer awareness.
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