General
How much does it cost to test a product?
A complete single-product test is $1,995 — three independently sourced samples across two chemical panels (phthalates and bisphenols), for six lab tests per product. Multi-product packages bring the per-product cost down: five products for $8,995 ($1,799/product) or ten for $15,995 ($1,600/product). See the testing packages for details. Pricing covers ISO 17025-accredited lab analysis, anonymous product acquisition, sample preparation, shipping, and reporting. Crowdfunded products added to the site before April 2026 remain at their original $1,275 target and are still eligible for contributions until funded.
How accurate are these tests?
We use ISO 17025-accredited Light Labs and standardized testing protocols that can detect chemicals down to parts per billion. All samples are tested in triplicate from different production lots. That said, we're transparent about limitations: results represent point-in-time measurements and variation between lots is common.
Why test three samples? Isn't one enough?
Single samples can be misleading. PlasticList found that identical products from different lots could vary by up to 59% in chemical content. Three samples help us understand this variation and provide more reliable data.
Testing Process
What exactly do you test for?
We test for 21 specific chemicals: 18 phthalates (including DEHP, DBP, and BBP) plus three bisphenols (BPA, BPS, and BPF). These are common plasticizers known or suspected to be endocrine disruptors.
How long does testing take?
Funding completion to published results typically takes 4-6 weeks. This includes sample collection from different lots, shipping, lab analysis, and data verification.
What happens if a product fails to reach its funding goal?
Your contribution is automatically refunded if a product doesn't reach its testing goal within 365 days of your contribution date.
Results & Impact
What makes a result 'concerning'?
We don't make safety judgments. Instead, we compare results to established regulatory limits from FDA, EPA, and EFSA, noting when products exceed these thresholds. We also flag when regulatory limits themselves may be outdated based on new research.
Do you notify product manufacturers about their results?
Yes, companies receive notice of their product's results.
What's the end goal here?
Two things: First, to create radical transparency about chemical contamination in everyday products. Second, to generate market pressure for companies to eliminate these chemicals from their supply chains.
Contributing
Can I suggest products for testing?
Yes! Use the "Add Product" link. We prioritize products based on community interest and funding momentum.
Why crowdfunding?
Traditional product testing is typically done privately by companies or regulators. Crowdfunding democratizes this process, allowing consumers to directly drive testing priorities while ensuring our independence.
How do you ensure independence?
We only publish test results for products that are acquired anonymously through normal consumer supply chains.
Technical Details
What's your testing methodology?
Light Labs uses gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with isotope dilution, the gold standard for detecting trace organic compounds. The full testing protocol is public and follows established EPA/FDA methods.
How do you prevent contamination?
Products are often shipped to the lab in their original packaging. In cases where this is not feasible, pre-tested containers are used for storage and transport.
What does 'LOQ' mean in your results?
Limit of Quantification (LOQ) is the lowest concentration we can reliably measure. Results below LOQ are marked "<LOQ" - this doesn't mean zero, just below our measurement threshold.
What are EFSA and TDI?
EFSA is the European Food Safety Authority, an independent agency that evaluates risks related to the food chain. TDI stands for Tolerable Daily Intake—EFSA's estimate of the amount of a contaminant that can be consumed each day over a lifetime without appreciable health risk. On laboratory.love, percent-of-TDI values account for body weight (e.g., toddler 14kg, adult 70kg) and product serving size.
Impact & Evidence
Has this kind of testing led to actual changes?
Yes. Similar testing by Consumer Reports led several baby food manufacturers to change their processes. PlasticList's work drove several companies to investigate their supply chains for contamination sources (e.g. Boba Guys)
Why should I care about these chemicals?
EDCs can interfere with hormone systems at surprisingly low doses. The evidence is strongest for developmental effects: in 2023, EFSA lowered their "safe" limit for BPA by 20,000x based on new immune system data.