Carcinogenic substances were found in sandals sold on Chinese online shopping platforms such as AliExpress and Temu.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has reported discovering carcinogenic substances in sandals, hats, and nail polish sold on Chinese online shopping platforms. The levels of these harmful chemicals far exceeded domestic safety standards. In some cases, the carcinogens were present at levels 229 times above the allowable limit, prompting a strong warning to consumers.
The Seoul Health and Environment Research Institute, the Korea Construction and Living Environment Testing Institute, FITI Testing and Research Institute, and KATRI Testing Institute conducted this inspection from July 12 to August 9.
The 144 products sold on AliExpress, Temu, and Shein were investigated. They found 11 products exceeding domestic standards, including sandals, hats, and nail polishes.
Notably, the sandals contained phthalate plasticizers (DEHP, DBP, BBP) at concentrations reaching 22.92%, 229 times the allowable limit of 0.1%. These substances can disrupt endocrine systems. Additionally, the hats had formaldehyde levels of 597 mg/kg, double the permitted limit of 300 mg/kg. Formaldehyde is known to cause respiratory and nervous system problems.
Another pair of sandals revealed nickel levels up to nine times the limit, lead content exceeding the limit 11 times, and phthalate plasticizers (DEHP, BBP) exceeding the limit by up to 167.5 times.
Phthalate plasticizers and formaldehyde are known to have harmful long-term effects on humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies DEHP as a Group 2B carcinogen, while formaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.
Two nail polishes sold on Shein also contained dioxane, a known carcinogen. The level reached 363.2 µg/g, 3.6 times the domestic limit. Methanol levels were way over the limit by 1.4 times. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified dioxane as a Group 2 B carcinogen.
Based on these inspection results, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to request a prohibition of the sale of these products.
Kim Tae Hee, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Citizen Health Bureau, stated, “Since these problematic products come into direct contact with the body, consumers should look for the inspection results when purchasing these items.”
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