Pretty Little Thing admit some clothes may contain cancer-causing chemicals

Pretty Little Thing shoppers have been shocked to find out some of their purchases may contain cancer-causing chemicals.

Due to Pretty Little Thing having American customers, the shop has had to state that some products on its online store "may contain chemicals that are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm and may be included on the Proposition 65 chemical list."

California's Proposition 65 regulates substances officially listed by California as causing cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Businesses are prohibited from knowingly exposing individuals to listed substances without providing a clear and reasonable warning.

Pretty Little Thing warns that some products such as "wallets, handbags, purses, clutches, clothing, jewellery or shoes made of vinyl or imitation leather may contain traces or [sic.] lead." Lead is one of the chemicals on California's Proposition 65 list.

One Twitter user wrote: "I’m shook!!! Quite concerning that Pretty Little Thing are actually selling clothing that have chemicals in which are known to cause cancer and birth defects!!! And the fact they hid the information at the bottom of their Terms and Conditions!!"

While another shocked shopper said: "Very alarming that Pretty Little Thing are selling clothing that have chemicals in which are known to cause cancer and birth defects and burying this information at the bottom of their Terms and Conditions."

Pretty Little Thing's full statement on this can be found on its terms and conditions page. It reads:

"The following is a notice to residents of California regarding Proposition 65: California’s Proposition 65 entitles California consumers to special warnings for Products that contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm if those products expose consumers to such chemicals above certain threshold levels. Some of our products such as wallets, handbags, purses, clutches, clothing, jewellery or shoes made of vinyl or imitation leather may contain traces or lead. In accordance with Proposition 65, We issue the following warning to our California customers:

"WARNING: Some Products on our Online Store from time to time may contain chemicals that are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm and may be included on the Proposition 65 chemical list. If you need additional information to make your purchase, please email us at: [email protected] We will respond as soon as possible to provide you with the information We possess about the materials within our products. For more information on Proposition 65, please visit here. To learn more on lead-related FAQs, visit here."

Pretty Little Thing redirects customers to learn more on lead-related FAQs in its terms and conditions. If you're wondering whether lead can cause cancer, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)in America has determined that lead and lead compounds are reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens. Also, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified lead as a probable human carcinogen.

Pretty Little Thing told The Tab: "All companies that sell products to customers in California are legally required to comply with the Proposition 65 legislation. Proposition 65 requires companies to make customers in California aware that certain products may contain traces of chemicals. Pretty Little Thing works closely with its suppliers to ensure that the requirements relating to Proposition 65 are met. Including a warning on the website is a step commonly taken by companies operating in California."

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