7 Toxic Dollar Store Items You Should Avoid

1. Power cords and other electronic accessories

These items may be cheaper compared to electronic stores, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to buy them from dollar stores. Among the items that tested positive for toxic chemicals were electronic accessories and USB power cords. They are mostly made of vinyl, which contains a huge percentage of chlorine that can be very dangerous when heated. If you want to buy good-quality products for your appliances, make sure you shop at brand-name electronics stores, even if they are more expensive.

2. Plastic kitchen utensils

One thing is clear: Avoid plastic utensils as much as possible! Besides the fact that they usually break at higher temperatures, they also contain toxic materials. The bromine found in brominated flame retardants, or “BFRs,” is present in high concentrations in spatulas and plastic spoons.

These utensils are frequently manufactured with recycled plastic that does include BFRs, even though they are not needed to be fireproof and, thus, are not obliged to contain BFRs. Be cautious because this substance has been linked to cancer and birth defects, so the next time you go shopping at the dollar store, look for wooden or stainless steel utensils.