ㅣ Harmful Substances Found in Children's Toys Purchased from Overseas, Request for Sales Halt
Some children's toys sold on overseas online platforms have been found to contain harmful substances.
On the 24th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it conducted tests for the presence of harmful chemicals and durability (mechanical and physical properties) on 25 children's toy products sold overseas, including Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, ahead of Children's Day.
Among these, four products were found to contain harmful substances or were deemed unsuitable in physical testing.
Among the four products, the 'keyring doll' exceeded the domestic standard limit (total of 0.1% or less) for phthalate plasticizer (DEHP) by up to 278.6 times in three areas: the doll's face, hands, and feet.
Phthalate plasticizers are classified as possible human carcinogens (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. They are also endocrine-disrupting substances that can affect reproductive functions and may cause irritation to the eyes and skin upon contact.
In the 'children's clay' product, CMIT (chloromethylisothiazolinone) and MIT (methylisothiazolinone), which are banned for use in the country, were detected. These substances have been controversial due to their harmful effects as components of humidifier disinfectants, and exposure above certain concentrations can cause strong irritation to the skin, respiratory system, and eyes, leading to their ban in children's products.
Two 'learning toy' products received unsuitable ratings in physical testing according to domestic standards. A toy in the shape of a scale was verified to have a sharp fixed bottom in light blue, posing a risk of cuts or punctures.
A sorting toy designed for providing clips and bags had missing warning labels to prevent choking incidents, and risks of cuts or punctures in case of breakage were raised.
In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has requested a sales halt for these products on online platforms and urged heightened caution when purchasing children's products from overseas. They also stated that a safety inspection for children's textile products, expected to see increased demand in May for the summer season, will be conducted.
Safety inspection results can be continuously checked on the Seoul Metropolitan Government's website or the Seoul Electronic Commerce Center's website.
Image source: Seoul Metropolitan Government
