Greenpeace's Micky Mouse Protest Targets Disney's Hammersmith HQ


8ft banner claims that some of Disney's pyjamas contain toxic substances


Greenpeace climbers dressed as Mickey & Minnie Mouse ascended Disney's London HQ last week to display a banner reading � 'Disney: Stop Selling Toxic Pyjamas to Kids' .   According to a Greenpeace spokesperson, despite being told six months ago that independent tests showed that Disney-branded pyjamas contain toxic chemicals which are harmful, the company has refused to remove the affected products from sale.

In tests, carried out by Danish independent laboratory Eurofins, five pairs of pyjamas available at a Disney Store contacined a toxic chemical called nonylphenol, that can interfere with human DNA and effect sperm production in mammals. According to this lab report, also present in the children's garments were phthalates, which can cause liver, kidney and testicular damage and are banned from teething toys under emergency legislation. Formaldehyde, which is suspected to cause cancer, was found in Finding Nemo pyjamas.

Mark Strutt, Greenpeace Campaigner, said "Disney have consistently ignored all our warnings about these pyjamas and the damaging chemicals they contain. So we've come here today to make sure Disney and their staff know that these pyjamas are harmful and they must stop selling them.�


The products affected are:

  • Buzz Lightyear pyjamas for boys;
  • Piglet pyjamas;
  • Tigger pyjamas with caption '100% Cheeky';
  • Tigger pyjamas with caption 'Come on in little buddy. The water's great!';
  • Finding Nemo pyjamas

Greenpeace believes the toxic chemicals are in the garments as a result of the inks and PVC plastic film used in the design.


 




April 20, 2004