Inspection of Overseas Direct Purchase Online Platforms for Clothing Accessories and Containers
Phthalate Plasticizers Detected up to 229 Times in Sandals
Dioxane in Nail Products Exceeds Domestic Standards by up to 3.6 Times
Request to Halt Sales and Block Access to Products Containing Harmful Substances
Carcinogenic substances exceeding 200 times the standard level were detected in sandals and hats sold on overseas online platforms such as Ali, Temu, and Shein. Since many of these products come into prolonged contact with the skin, consumers need to exercise careful caution.
On the 14th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that out of 144 products sold on overseas direct purchase online platforms in the third week of August, 11 products exceeded domestic standards, including the detection of phthalate plasticizers (DEHP) and formaldehyde, known carcinogens, in sandals and hats.
This inspection was conducted over about one month from July 12 to August 9. The Seoul Institute of Health and Environment and three external specialized institutions (Korea Conformity Laboratories, FITI Testing & Research Institute, KATRI Testing & Research Institute) carried out the tests.
A total of 144 products were tested, including 94 food containers, 13 cosmetics, 28 sandals and hats, and 9 hygiene products sold on AliExpress, Temu, and Shein. The inspections were divided into two types: 'hazardous item selective testing,' which tests only some items for multiple products, and 'full item testing,' which tests all items specified in domestic standards.
As a result, four sandal products and three hat products sold on these platforms significantly exceeded domestic standards. In sandals, phthalate plasticizers (DEHP, DBP, BBP) were detected at up to 22.92%, exceeding the domestic standard (total content 0.1%) by up to 229 times. In hats, formaldehyde content was detected at 597 mg/kg, exceeding the domestic standard (300 mg/kg) by up to twice. Notably, some sandals exceeded domestic standards by 2 to 9 times in nickel elution or by 1.2 to 11 times in lead content, in addition to phthalate plasticizers.
Phthalate plasticizers are endocrine-disrupting substances that affect reproductive functions such as reduced sperm count, infertility, and premature birth. DEHP is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B). Formaldehyde is also known as a harmful substance causing respiratory diseases and neurological problems and is classified as a carcinogen (Group 1) that can cause cancer with long-term exposure.
Two aluminum pots purchased from Ali also showed nickel elution levels of 0.22 to 0.23 mg/L, exceeding the domestic standard (0.1 mg/L) by twice. In food containers, previous inspections up to July found that six enamel bowls exceeded domestic standards for cadmium and lead elution.
Regarding nail products (manicure), two products sold on Shein contained dioxane at 363.2 μg/g, exceeding the domestic standard (100 μg/g) by up to 3.6 times, and methanol at 0.275%, exceeding the domestic standard (0.2%) by 1.4 times. Dioxane is a byproduct generated during the softening process of cosmetic ingredients and is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the World Health Organization (WHO).
Following this inspection, 11 products that exceeded or did not meet domestic standards will have their sales suspended by requesting related agencies such as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and overseas online platform companies to block access to these products. Kim Tae-hee, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Citizen Health Bureau, stated, "Since the products exceeding domestic standards are items that come into direct contact with the body, such as leather sandals and hats, citizens are advised to refer to the inspection results and exercise special caution when purchasing products."
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