A group called Concerned Citizens of Tompkins County plans to protest at the Target store at Pyramid Mall at noon today seeking to persuade the company to stop stocking products and packaging containing polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC. The group says the production, use and disposal of PVC releases toxic chemicals that can cause serious health and environmental problems.

Many other large retailing and manufacturing companies, such as Wal-Mart, Nike, Microsoft, Ikea and Johnson & Johnson are phasing-out PVC in products and packaging, but Target hasn’t, says the group.

The demonstration is planned as part of an effort nationwide organized by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice.. A leader of the Ithaca effort is Tony Del Plato, who has also been active regarding the use of genetically modified plants and animals in the food supply.

Target, based in Minneapolis, said it's studying the issue. "As we told CHEJ in a recent telephone conversation, Target is committed to exploring alternatives to PVC. We need first to understand the availability of alternatives and suitability for mass production applications across a large number of product lines in order to make an informed decision about PVC,'' Target said, according to the San Jose Mercury News.