Lead is a naturally-occurring element that is highly toxic to humans, especially children. Lead exposure can affect almost every organ in the body, and can cause reproductive toxicity in both men and women. In children, exposure to lead can cause low IQ, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, anemia, and more. In pregnant women, exposure to lead can cause premature birth and low birth weight, organ damage in the developing fetus, and miscarriage.

Despite the fact that lead poisoning is well established and widely understood, manufacturers continue to use lead in a variety of consumer products, including construction materials, batteries, ceramic pigments and glazes, semiconductors, and ammunition. Some of these products are even made specifically for babies.

MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of lead in the following products:

• Paparazzi jewelry - (multiple)

• Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems - Panel Gauge with Fitting Assembly Oxygen system

• Alter Eco - 85% Cacao Classic Blackout chocolate bar

• Astro AI - Pressure Washer Quick Connect Kit

• Back to Nature - Belgian Dark 72% chocolate bar

• Gelson’s - Le Belge Chocolatier 72% chocolate bar

• Rad Creative LLC - Brass picture frames

• Sunwarrior Ventures - MACA root powder

• The Coburn Company - Milker Hose Cleaning Kit

• Trader Joe’s - Uganda Dark Chocolate Bar 85%.

Cadmium is a heavy metal that is produced during the smelting of other economically significant metals, such as copper and zinc. It is also used intentionally in the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries, metal plating, paints, plastics, and fertilizers. Much of the cadmium exposure in humans comes from foods grown in cadmium-contaminated soil.

Low amounts of cadmium are acceptable, but high levels of cadmium (including small but steady exposure over a long period of time) can cause serious adverse health effects, including stomach irritation and nausea/vomiting, kidney disease, weakened bones, developmental toxicity, and male reproductive toxicity.

MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of cadmium in the following products:

• Paparazzi jewelry - (multiple)

• Alter Eco - 85% Cacao Classic Blackout chocolate bar

• Back to Nature - Belgian Dark 72% chocolate bar

• Trader Joe’s - Uganda Dark Chocolate Bar 85%.

Phthalates are manmade chemicals that are used to increase durability and flexibility in plastic products. These “plasticizers” can be found in numerous applications, from vinyl flooring to lubricating oils, children’s backpacks to medical equipment, PVC tubing to shower curtains and bath mats. As these common household products break down over time (normal wear and tear), the phthalates are slowly released into the environment. These deposits accumulate in our cars and homes, settling like dust over surfaces where they can then be ingested (hand to mouth) or inhaled.

There are hundreds of phthalates, and not all of them are equally dangerous. Many of them are still being studied to determine their safety – and new phthalates are always being developed by industry. The highest risk phthalates (that we currently know of) are DEHP, DINP, and DIDP. Exposure to these types of phthalates can cause developmental toxicity, birth defects, male reproductive toxicity, and cancer.

MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of DEHP, DINP, DBP, or DIDP in the following products:

• AD Sutton and Sons - clear backpack.

• Agri-Pro Enterprises - Post Mortem vinyl dissection kits

• Avery Elle - zippered vinyl mesh bag

• Brybelly Holdings, Inc - Vinyl-Coated Hand Weights, Dumbbell Sets, Free Weights

• Buffalo Games - Sensory Seek and Find Chuckle and Roar Bear

• Claire's - Holographic Y2K Shaker Mini Backpack

• Continental SEL, LLC dba Healthy You Amazon - Vinyl Coated Yellow 2lb Hexagon Dumbbells

• Cordova Safety Products - Yellow Raincoat 2-Piece with Corduroy Collar and Detachable Hood

• Defy Sports Inc - Heavy Duty Sauna Suit for Weight Loss

• Dhabii LLC - Weightlifting straps

• Evolved Novelties, Inc - Red Bondage Tape

• Fantasia Sales, Inc - Costume Stethoscope

• FROGSHOP INC.; York Barbell Company, Inc. - York Barbell Vinyl Fitbell, Yellow, 4 lb

• Guess? Inc - Burell Travel Bags

• HKS Co Ltd - Various vinyl coated tools

• Hobby Lobby - Clear Pouch 2331569

• Innovative Home Creations - freestanding craft caddy

• Intora, Inc. dba Sportsheets; The Pleasure Chest - Sincerely, Sportsheets Amber Ball Gag

• Jacked Factory AKA Nutra Holdings Inc - Weightlifting straps

• Kitcheniva - clear transparent jewelry storage book

• Laura Ashley USA, Inc - Under Bed Storage Bags

• Mabis Healthcare, Inc - Spectrum Nurse Stethoscope

• MCC Brands, LLC - KINGART Vinyl/Mesh Bag with Handle

• McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc - PVC Medical Tubing

• Pacific Arc, Inc - Spring Bow Compass Bag

• Polyconcept North America - Leed’s Promotional Tote

• ProArt - 15” x 18” Mesh and Vinyl Zipper Bag

• Prop Boutique Corporation; Sure Sure & Company LLC - Skeleteen Doctor's Stethoscope Kids Costume Accessories

• Ross Stores Inc - Outerbanks Provisions First Aid Kit

• Seachoice Marine Products - Life Jacket Tote Bag

• Sullivan’s - “Sassy Tote” sewing organizer

• Team Beans - clear tote bag

• Total Resources International - Be Smart Get Prepared 201-Piece First Aid Kit

• Vevor - Discharge hoses,

• West Chester Holdings, Inc - PVC-Coated Work Gloves with Knit Wrist

• XR, LLC - Penitentiary Nipple Clamps and Cock Ring Set

• Zeckos - Patent and Transparent Vinyl Evening Bag with Cosmetic Bag

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, refer to a suite of chemicals that are used to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. These resistant products include clothing like rain gear, furniture that won’t stain, food packaging that won’t get soggy, non-stick cooking surfaces like Teflon, and many more. Due to their inherent nature, PFAS do not break down over time, making them “forever chemicals” that bioaccumulate in our environment and our bodies.

PFAS have been linked to decreased thyroid and liver function, reproductive toxicity including infertility, developmental toxicity including accelerated puberty, hormonal disruption, and cancer of the prostate, kidney, and testicles. As with many of these environmental contaminant, communities of color are more likely to be exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. (1)

(1) Citation

MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of PFAS in the following products:

• Lunchskins - paper straws.

Hexavalent chromium is one form (VI) of elemental chromium. It is created by an industrial process, and chromium VI compounds are used as pigments in dyes, paints, and inks. Other forms of chromium, such as chromium III, are safely used in many applications, most notably in leather production. However, sometimes mistakes in leather manufacturing can result in chromium VI residues in the finished leather.

Hexavalent chromium is well established as a carcinogen. Aside from causing cancer, exposure to chromium VI can also result in developmental toxicity, contact dermatitis, and reproductive toxicity in both men and women.

Hexavalent chromium is a well established carcinogen.

MONARCH has tested and discovered dangerous levels of hexavalent chromium in the following products:

• Caleras, Inc. - Bourbon Street Suede Dress Belt

• GOAT USA Inc - OG Golf Gloves

• True Collective LLC - TRUE Lux Golf Gloves

TiO2 is one form of titanium, a common metal. It’s often used as a coloring agent in foods, candies, and cosmetics (pigment grade TiO2), or to absorb ultraviolet light in sunscreens (nanomaterial TiO2). Regardless of form, titanium dioxide becomes dangerous when it is found in airborne, unbound particles of respirable size.

Titanium dioxide is classified as a cancer-causing agent when small particles are inhaled. It is not considered dangerous when the TiO2 remains bound within a product matrix, which is why it is safe for use in foods despite being very dangerous when aerosolized.

MONARCH has tested and discovered unbound, respirable particle of TiO2 in the following products:

• AmScam Holdings Inc - Gold Hairspray

• Clairol-Procter & Gamble - Root Touch-Up by Nice 'n Easy Color Refreshing Spray

• Cosnova Inc. - Catrice Cosmetics Prime & Fine Illuminating Dewy Glow Spray

• dpHUE - Color Touch-Up Spray

• Ebin New York, Inc - Tinted Lace Aerosol

• Farouk Systems Inc - Chi Shine Infusion Hair Shine Spray

• Henkel Corporation - MySpotlight Rose Gold Shimmer Spray

• High Beams - Intense Spray-On Hair Color

• Mana Products Inc - Hush Prism Airbrush Spray Temporary Hair Color

• Kevin Murphy USA Inc - KEVIN MURPHY Shimmer Me Blonde

• Ivy Enterprises Inc - Kiss Root Cover Up Gray Concealer Spray Tintation

• Lime Crime, Inc - Unicorn Hair Star Mist

• Markwins Beauty Brands, Inc - wet n wild My Reality Is Just Different Shimmer Setting Spray Alice In Wonderland Collection

• The Procter & Gamble Company - Aussie Glitzy Blue Spray

• Sebastian Trilliant - Thermal Protection and Shimmer-Complex Spray

• John Paul Mitchell Systems - Paul Mitchell Platinum Blonde Toning Spray

• Petite N Pretty LLC - LA Luster Glitter Hair Spray for Kids

• Punky Colour - Temporary Hair Color Spray

• Rogue & Co LLC - R+CO Bleu Reflective Shine Hairspray

• Rita Hazan Products Inc - Root Concealer Touch Up Spray

• Roux Laboratories Inc - Roux Glitter Addict

• Spirit Halloween Stores Inc - Metallic Hair Spray

• Sundial Brands LLC - Sugarcane Extract & Meadowfoam Seed Silicone Free Miracle Strobe Shine Spray

• Surface Hair Care Inc - Surface Hair Pure Blonde Violet Leave-In Toning Spray

• Vernon Francois - Vernon François® Shine Spray