Citizen Action/Illinois – Press Conference – Calling on Walgreens To Remove Toxic Chemicals

Calling on Walgreens To Remove Toxic Chemicals from Products

Chicago, IL] Citizen Action/Illinois will join with dog owners, parents and toxic expert Dr. Peter Orris to demand Walgreens remove toxic products from its shelves. This is part of a national day of action for the Safer Chemicals / Health Families coalition, with events happening at Walgreens throughout the country.

What: Press Conference calling on Walgreens to remove toxic chemicals from stores.
When: July 16, 2014 at 11:00 am
Who: Citizen Action/Illinois, Doctor Peter Orris, parents, dog owners (and dogs).
Where: 400 N. Michigan (Walgreens Flagship store at Wrigley Building.
Visuals: Sample products with listing of toxic chemicals, dogs and dog owners, signs.

Every day, we use products that contain toxic chemicals with little or no understanding of how these chemicals impact our health. Today, Citizen Action/Illinois and the Safer Chemicals / Healthy Families Coalition are working to remove these chemicals from everyday products.

Many major retailers, including Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond, are working to remove toxic chemicals from their products. Unfortunately, Walgreens has not taken action on toxic chemicals. New independent testing of products sold at Walgreens shows a variety of toxic chemicals including hormone-disrupting chemicals in shower curtains, lead in pet chew toys and phthalates in furniture. While other countries and US stores have replaced these chemicals with safe alternatives, Walgreens continues to stall.

In contrast to American based stores, UK pharmacy chain Alliance Boots (Walgreens has a 45% equity ownership stake in Alliance Boots) has a sustainable chemicals policy that is considered a model in retailing, and as a result, its customers benefit from safer products.

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