British store bans dangerous chemicals

LONDON, May 13 (UPI) -- A British supermarket chain has cleared its shelves of its own household cleaning brands and other products that contain potentially dangerous chemicals.

The Co-op has banned chemicals which have been linked to cancer, fertility problems and environmental damage, even though their use is still legal, the BBC reported Thrusday.

Head of Co-op Brand David Croft said there was "credible evidence" against the chemicals, and there were alternatives to their use.

The Co-op is urging the rest of the supermarket industry to follow its lead.

The banned substances include nitro and polycyclic musks and phthalates. They are found found in cleaning products and artificial musks used in perfumes which can be absorbed by the body.