Carcinogens Found in Imported Children's Rain Boots... 680 Times the Safety Standard

SHIN's 'Children's Rain Boots' Contain DEHP·DBP
Detected at 680 Times the Standard... DEHP Classified as Possible Human Carcinogen by International
Cancer Research Institute

Carcinogenic substances exceeding the standard by up to 680 times were detected in children's rain boots sold on overseas direct purchase online platforms.

On the 4th, Seoul City announced that safety inspections of products from overseas online platforms in the fourth week of June found harmful substances exceeding domestic standards in 6 out of 12 children's textile products.

The inspection targeted children's and infants' sneakers, rain boots, socks, hats, bags, and clothing sold on Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, checking for the presence of harmful chemical substances and durability.

Children's rain boots in which phthalate-based plasticizers were detected according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's inspection results. / Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government

First, two types of phthalate plasticizers, DEHP and DBP, were detected in children's rain boots sold on Shein. The ribbon part of the boots exceeded the standard by about 680 times, while the transparent soft part and the pink soft edge exceeded the standard by 483 times and 44 times respectively. Phthalate plasticizers are endocrine-disrupting substances that affect reproductive functions and can cause irritation to the eyes and skin upon contact. In particular, DEHP is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Two types of children's bags sold on AliExpress also exceeded domestic standards for harmful substances. The outer fabric of a children's backpack showed a pH of 9.4, which is outside the standard range (4.0?7.5). The printed area on the bag's surface contained four types of phthalate plasticizers (DIBP, DEHP, DBP, DINP) exceeding the standard by about 11 times. Another children's bag had formaldehyde detected in the lining at about twice the standard level. Formaldehyde is a major pollutant causing sick building syndrome, is carcinogenic, and can cause respiratory difficulties and headaches.

In children's jumpers, lead was detected at four times the domestic standard in the zipper area, cadmium up to about 11 times, and phthalate plasticizers up to 537 times the standard in the soft outer fabric. Lead exposure above safety standards can harm reproductive functions. Cadmium is a carcinogenic substance that accumulates in the liver and kidneys.

Starting this month, the city plans to conduct safety inspections on children's swimming goggles, sunglasses, tubes, swimsuits, and other products expected to have high demand during the summer. Safety inspection results can be checked on the Seoul City or Seoul Electronic Commerce Center websites.