‘Non-toxic and Eco-friendly’ They Said... Harmful Substances Detected in Some Paints

Korea Consumer Agency Investigates 20 Paint Products

Status of Non-compliance in Environmental Labeling and Advertising of Paints

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Harmful substances have been detected in some paints marketed as non-toxic and eco-friendly.

According to the results announced on the 1st by the Korea Consumer Agency after investigating 20 paint products sold on the market, 7 products used terms such as non-toxic and harmless to the human body without providing specific evidence or limiting the scope. According to the Environmental Technology and Environmental Industry Support Act and the Notification on the Management System for Environmental Labeling and Advertising, paint manufacturers and sellers are prohibited from displaying or advertising terms like eco-friendly, non-toxic, and pollution-free without providing specific evidence or limiting the scope.

In particular, among these 7 products, preservative ingredients such as methylisothiazolinone (MIT) or formaldehyde, classified as skin sensitizers by the European Union (EU), were detected in 5 products. In 4 products, MIT was detected at levels exceeding the EU labeling standard (1.5 mg/kg), ranging from 1.56 to 60.58 mg/kg. MIT is a substance that causes skin irritation and skin corrosion symptoms.

Additionally, formaldehyde was detected in 3 products within the EU labeling standard (0.1%) at levels between 0.04% and 0.067%. Formaldehyde is a substance that causes contact dermatitis or irritation to the respiratory tract and eye mucous membranes upon exposure. Among the 5 products where preservatives were detected, 2 products contained both MIT and formaldehyde.

Products Exceeding Harmful Element Leaching Standards

Separately, one product was found to contain barium exceeding the safety standard for stationery products. Barium can cause irritation to the respiratory system, skin, and eyes. The safety standard is less than 1000 mg per kg, but this product contained 1165.5 mg.

Paints must display a warning stating "Not for use as skin makeup" as a precaution during use, but 4 out of the 20 products lacked this warning. The 7 businesses that used incorrect environmental labeling and advertising terms agreed to correct all such expressions, and the 5 businesses whose products contained harmful substances agreed to reduce the amount of preservatives used or display warning labels. The product with excessive barium was suspended from sale and recalled.

The Consumer Agency urged caution to avoid using paints with environmental labels as toys that come into contact with the skin and recommended guiding children to use tools such as brushes or wear aprons and arm covers to prevent skin exposure while using paints. The Consumer Agency plans to request the National Institute of Technology and Standards and the Ministry of Environment to strengthen management and supervision related to paints.