After a national campaign by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) and a coalition of health and environmental organizations, Target has agreed to systematically reduce its use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, commonly known as vinyl. The company is reducing PVC found in many of its owned brand products including infant products, children’s toys, shower curtains, packaging and fashion accessories. PVC commonly contains toxic additives such as lead and phthalates and is often made in China.

My son Wade was born with severe food allergies. His allergies did not become apparent until he was several months old. At first my husband and I noticed a little fussiness after mealtime but we dismissed it. One day when we went out for breakfast, I gave my son a little bit of milk with some cereal. I watched as his face swelled up, his eyes swelled shut, his face filled with tears. He was obviously in pain, but I could not do one thing to make him comfortable.

As we raced to the hospital, I began to wonder if my son was going to die. My husband and I were to repeat that scenario at least six or seven more times over the next several months and it was always the same. My son would be exposed to the allergen, the allergic reaction would cause him to wheeze, the wheezing could not be controlled unless we took him to the emergency room and then my son would be hospitalized for at least a week.