School Opening Approaching, Struggling with COVID-19 and School Supplies Too? [Reading Science]

Children's products subject to recall orders. Various items such as shoes, indoor slippers, bags, and electric kickboards were found to violate safety standards or fall short of the criteria, leading to their removal from the market.
[Photo by National Institute of Technology and Standards]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] School will start in a few days. One of the restrictions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is being lifted. Children will be excited, but parents are anxious. Although the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is not increasing significantly, it is still too early to judge that the situation has settled.

When will the day come when children can attend school healthily without worrying about infection? However, before the school term begins, there are precautions to take when choosing school supplies, bags, shoes, and other items used by children. Not only COVID-19 but also harmful chemical substances that can damage children's health must be considered.

The National Institute of Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced last month that it conducted an investigation on 592 products across 19 categories, including school supplies, bags, shoes, children's spring clothing, and ride-on toys, ahead of the spring semester, and issued recall orders for 36 products. The investigation found violations of legal safety standards due to the presence of harmful chemical substances and poor product durability.

According to data from the National Institute of Technology and Standards, the 'Silver Star Xylophone' produced by Company M contained lead at 1,242 times the standard limit, and the '12-color paint sign pen' from Company J contained phthalate-based plasticizers, a carcinogenic substance, at 231 times the standard limit. For 11 products including bags from Company F, phthalate-based plasticizers were detected at 212 times the standard limit in zipper handles, and lead was found at 10 times the standard limit in cubic decorations.

Children's sign pens subject to recall order.
[Photo by National Institute of Technology and Standards]

Harmful chemical substances were also detected in large quantities in indoor shoes and footwear. In indoor shoes, phthalate-based plasticizers were detected at up to 356 times the standard limit in surface decorations, and in two footwear products, phthalate-based plasticizers were detected at more than 8 times the standard limit in the front sole area.

Additionally, two electric kickboard products were found to have unauthorized battery replacements different from those used during the 'KC Certification' process, which ensures only safe products are distributed. Two roller sports protective gear products failed to meet the impact absorption standards, and two ride-on cars driven directly by children contained phthalate-based plasticizers at up to 249 times the standard limit.

Three children's clothing products were found to contain phthalate-based plasticizers at more than 6 times the standard limit in zipper areas.

Regarding the hazard standards of the major detected substances, the lead limit is 90 mg/kg for paint and surface coatings, and up to 300 mg/kg for other cases. Exposure to lead can cause dermatitis, keratitis, and central nervous system disorders.

The cadmium limit is 75 mg/kg; exceeding this can cause kidney and respiratory side effects and reduce children's learning abilities. The formaldehyde limit is also 75 mg/kg. It is a substance likely to cause vision impairment, skin disorders, digestive and respiratory problems.

A children's electric scooter recalled for using a battery different from the certified one.
[Photo by National Institute of Technology and Standards]

Phthalate-based plasticizers are endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. The standard limit is 0.1% of total content. When children use school supplies and put them in their mouths, these substances can be absorbed into the body, potentially damaging the liver and kidneys and adversely affecting reproductive functions, causing infertility and other issues.

The National Institute of Technology and Standards issued recall orders for 36 products, including five categories of daily necessities such as electric kickboards and 31 children's products such as school supplies and bags. Information about recalls is available on the 'Product Safety Information Center' and 'Happy Dream' websites. Foreigners can also check through the 'OECD Global Recall Portal' website.

If you find that you are using a recalled product by checking the disclosed information, you can receive repair, exchange, or refund services from the manufacturer, importer, or seller. Following the first safety investigation of school supplies announced last month, the National Institute of Technology and Standards is conducting a second safety investigation on about 1,000 products including strollers, walkers for the elderly, and LED lighting fixtures, with results expected to be announced next month.