Cyber Monday is the busiest online shopping day of the year in the United States. In 2024, it generated a record $13.3 billion in revenue. While consumers believe they are getting a deal, there is a hidden price to many online purchases: toxic chemicals.
As shoppers head into Cyber Monday, we want to highlight the growing presence of toxic chemicals found in online products, how to protect yourself and what organizations around the world are doing to make online shopping safer.
A significant amount of everyday household items purchased online contain hazardous substances and toxic chemicals — including PFAS (which are generally called “forever chemicals” because they never break down), phthalates and lead. Below are some product categories widely available online that have been found to contain toxic chemicals.
A 2022 Environmental Working Group study tested a variety of baby and children’s products purchased online from Target, Amazon and Old Navy. All tested items — including bedding, changing pads and soft toys — tested positive for fluorine, indicating the likely presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are found in the blood of nearly everyone, even newborns. These “forever chemicals” are also a widespread contaminant in water, soil and wildlife and are linked to many negative health outcomes, including immune system suppression, developmental harm, reproductive issues and increased cancer risk. This research is particularly troubling because babies and young children are especially vulnerable to these impacts.
PFAS, lead, phthalates and other toxic chemicals have also been detected in clothing, particularly in fast and ultra-fast fashion items. PFAS are often used to make clothing resistant to water, oil, heat and stains. Heavy metals, including lead and chromium (VI), are used in dyes, while phthalates — found in activewear and in anti-odor clothing — are carcinogenic and disrupt the endocrine system (interference with the body’s hormonal system).
Many of these chemicals, including flame retardants and phthalates, bioaccumulate in the body, meaning they build up in the bloodstream over time.
Electronics often contain hazardous substances like lead, mercury and flame retardants. E-commerce platforms also carry potentially dangerous electronics, including hairdryers and straighteners with electric shock risks.
While all of these products pose a health and safety risk to direct consumers during use, their toxic impact on human health and the environment precedes and extends far beyond the use of the product. Many discarded items end up in landfills — burned, dumped directly into the environment or shipped to other countries, where those toxic chemicals leach into waterways and soil or pollute the air.
Because these supply chains are global, so are the health and environmental impacts. But groups around the world are working to shed light on the issue and encourage the e-commerce sector to be more proactive in ensuring product safety.
Shenzhen Zero Waste (SZW), a China-based NGO focused on chemical safety and public health issues both domestically and globally, documented the growing concern around toxic chemicals in consumer goods sold on Chinese e-commerce sites in a July 2025 report.
Their report cites cases of consumer goods containing higher than allowed amounts of toxic chemicals, including baby food and other food products, and toys. And they call for the e-commerce sector to adopt a forward-looking, proactive chemical management strategy to promote the protection of human health and the environment. Having a proactive approach is not only good for people and the environment, it’s also good for business. Without it, companies can be subject to liabilities such as fines, product recalls, litigation, and reputational damage, particularly as chemicals are increasingly regulated domestically and internationally.
In November 2025, SZW and China Environmental Certification Center built on this research with a Chinese translation of the Communicating Chemicals in Products report and practical guidance for Chinese businesses and organizations looking to increase product sustainability communication.
There is also growing momentum to curb plastic production and its unregulated, toxic chemicals. Currently, world leaders are negotiating a Global Plastics Treaty (GPT). Pacific Environment is attending these negotiations and calling for an ambitious treaty that if ratified, could regulate the chemicals used in a variety of plastic products, including bisphenols (including BPA), PFAS and phthalates, with bans in products like toys, children’s items and food-contact materials.
Regulations like these are essential so consumers can shop without worrying whether products are safe.
Here are three things you can do to advocate for strong consumer safety standards online:
While advocating for stronger regulations is the most impactful way to create change, you can also take steps to protect yourself from these toxic chemicals:
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