By Michele Chandler

PROTESTS AGAINST TARGET Popular discounter Target will itself be in the cross hairs of an upcoming protest by environmental groups because of the chain's use of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC.

Shower curtains, curling irons, toys and blankets sold at Target are commonly packaged in PVC plastic, which contains dangerous additives, according to Mike Schade, PVC Campaign Coordinator for the New York-based Center for Health, Environment and Justice.

Other big chains and product manufacturers, including Wal-Mart Stores, Ikea, Mattel and Johnson & Johnson, have ended or reduced their use of PVC-containing products or packaging, says the environmental group, which would like to see Target follow suit.

``Target has put some pretty impressive environmental programs in place, so it was really surprising to us that they are lagging behind other retailers on this issue,'' said Schade. ``Over six months, they have not made any significant commitments to phase out PVC.''

The discount chain called the group's charges a ``gross misrepresentation of Target's use of PVC plastic.''

``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,'' the company said in an e-mail.

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice is planning to hand out fliers at Target stores next week -- including one in the Bay Area -- in a bid to pressure the company to change. On Wednesday, the center will unveil a Web site to press its case: www.pvcfree.org.