This Time 'Junggeumsok'... 278 Times the Standard Detected in Children's Accessories Bought Overseas

Lead and Nickel Heavy Metals Detected in Children's Watches Sold by Shein and Necklaces Sold on Ali

Heavy metals exceeding the standard by up to 278 times were detected in children's watches and necklaces sold on overseas direct purchase (direct import) platforms.

Seoul City announced in the fourth week of May that harmful heavy metals were detected in one children's accessory watch and one necklace from overseas online platform product safety inspections. The inspection targeted seven children's accessory products sold on Shein and AliExpress.

Children's watches and necklaces with heavy metals detected above the standard in safety inspection results. Photo by Seoul City

According to the city, lead was detected at 278 times the standard in the crown part, which is the winding knob, of one children's watch sold on Shein. A leaching test on the metal part of the back of the watch confirmed chromium exceeding the standard by 3.43 times. Nickel was also found to exceed the standard by 4.4 times. In a children's necklace sold on AliExpress, lead was detected at 1.17 times the standard in the metal part of the pendant.

Lead exposure above safety standards is known to harm reproductive functions and increase the risk of cancer. It especially affects brain development in children during pregnancy. Chromium has strong toxicity and can cause dermatitis when exposed acutely or chronically. Nickel can cause allergic reactions, including itching and rashes.

The city explained that the safety inspection confirmed that non-compliant products were being sold even on Shein, a Chinese online fast fashion platform specializing in fashion. Based on this, Seoul plans to expand the inspection targets to overseas platforms with many domestic users, in addition to Ali and Temu, which are currently under intensive safety inspections.

Following children's leather products such as shoes and bags in the last week of this month, the inspection targets will be expanded next month to include food containers such as pots and hygiene products. Safety inspection results can be continuously checked on the Seoul City website and the Seoul Electronic Commerce Center website.