DONALD ENG, Editor

There is nothing like that new car smell. And that's a good thing, according to a group of protesters outside Target Friday.

The Connecticut Coalition of Environmental Justice (CCEJ) staged a protest outside the Hawley Lane store. The event was one of about 30 similar demonstrations around the country on the same day.

The group, in partnership with the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) was criticizing the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic in products and packaging. Chemicals leaching out of PVC into the air are responsible for the "new car smell" and the smell of new shower curtains, among other things, the group claims.

Members claim Target, unlike many of its competitors, has not taken steps to reduce the amount of PVC in products the chain sells.

"Eighty-two percent of the PVC disposed of in Connecticut is burned, and this creates dioxin, which is one of the most toxic substances known to science," said Dr. Mark Mitchell, coalition president. "This is a higher rate than any other state. We believe a significant portion of cancer, asthma and diabetes we see in Hartford is related to the dioxin from burning PVC."

At the Hawley Lane Target, a group of seven protesters distributed flyers and delivered a letter to the store management. The letter read, in part:

"We are here today because of our serious concern about the use of PVC in Target products and packaging...The production of these products poses serious environmental health threats, requiring the use of dangerous carcinogens such as vinyl chloride...Communities surrounding PVC chemical facilities...suffer from groundwater and air pollution."

The letter also claimed PVC is difficult to recycle and that Target competitors such as Wal-Mart, have committed to phasing out the product in favor of alternative materials.

"While we understand the decision to sell products made out of or packaged in PVC is not yours, we urge you to use the influence you have as manager to bring this issue to your regional manager and Target's corporate headquarters."

In a written response, Target's California-based media relations department stated the company's desire to explore alternatives to the use of PVCs.

"We are very disturbed that the [CHEJ] is grossly misrepresenting Target's use of PVC plastic. As we told CHEJ in a recent telephone conversation, Target is committed to exploring alternatives. We need 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."

The statement also listed the environmental steps Target stores have taken in the last decade, including:

· Reducing waste by more than 70 percent through a recycling and reuse program. The company claims to have recycled 1 billion pounds of cardboard in 2005;

· Reusing plastic clothes hangers an average of four times before replacing them;

· Offering gift cards made of bioplastic, a corn-based material;

· Encouraging vendors to reduce the amount of packaging and use easily recyclable materials.

"For these reasons, we will not stand by while the CHEJ attempts to attack Target's solid track record of environmental stewardship solely in an effort to promote its own agenda," the statement concluded.

Katherine Woodhead, CCEJ's Fairfield County organizer, said consumers could use their wallets to put pressure on manufacturers by refusing to buy products containing PVC. Products made with PVC will have a #3 in their recycling stamp or carry a "V," the universal recycling symbol for vinyl.

"That would be effective for stores to start putting pressure on manufacturers," she said. "If there is no demand for these products, retailers will stop selling them, and manufacturers will stop producing them."