'Ally' Children's Bicycles Found to Contain 258 Times the Allowed Level of Carcinogens

Seoul City Inspects Inline Skates and Kickboards for Children
Phthalate Plasticizers and Lead Levels Exceed Standards
Additional Testing of Phone Cases Frequently in Contact with Skin During Daily Life

Harmful substances exceeding 258 times the domestic standard were detected in children's bicycles sold on the Chinese online platform AliExpress. Lead was found to exceed the standard by nearly 20 times in the handle areas other than the seat and brake cables.

On the 28th, Seoul City announced that after inspecting 16 products including children's inline skates, kickboards, bicycles, and glasses sold on AliExpress and Temu, harmful substances exceeding domestic standards or durability issues were found in 8 products.

Photo of a product failing the safety inspection. [Photo by Korea Conformity Laboratories]

First, two types of "children's bicycles" were judged non-compliant as lead and phthalate plasticizers exceeded domestic standards. In one product, phthalate plasticizers (DEHP·DBP) were detected at 258 times and 17 times the standard in the soft seat and brake cables respectively, while phthalate plasticizer (DEHP) was detected 114 times above the standard on the sticker area, and lead was detected 19 times above the standard in the soft handle area. In the other product, phthalate plasticizers (DEHP) were detected 240 times and 149 times above the standard in the soft seat and sticker areas respectively, and lead was detected 1.5 times above the standard in the plastic part of the bicycle bell.

Phthalate plasticizers are endocrine-disrupting substances that affect reproductive functions such as reduced sperm count, infertility, and premature birth, and can cause irritation to eyes and skin upon contact. Among them, DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lead exposure above safety standards can also harm reproductive functions and increase cancer risk. Especially during pregnancy, it can affect brain development and cause learning and behavioral problems in children.

Two types of "children's inline skates" were also judged non-compliant with domestic standards for phthalate plasticizers and physical requirements. Both products showed phthalate plasticizers (DEHP·DINP) exceeding domestic standards by up to 218 times in the Velcro parts used to tighten the foot after wearing. In one product, lead was detected 1.24 times above the standard in the soft outer Velcro part. Additionally, both products failed domestic standards in physical tests including appearance, structure, performance (strength test, impact test), riding test, and shoe attachment strength, showing cracks and breakage.

Two types of "children's kickboards" were also judged non-compliant in physical tests. Both products showed cracks and breakage in drop impact and folding device safety tests, and the force required to stop the kickboard on a slope during brake performance tests was about 1.5 times higher than the domestic standard, indicating braking difficulties. One product lacked a hand brake necessary for stopping during riding, and phthalate plasticizer (DEHP) was detected 198 times above the standard on the product logo sticker area, raising further safety concerns.

Harmful substances were also detected in products worn on the face. Two types of "children's eyeglass frames" showed harmful substances exceeding domestic standards. In one eyeglass frame, phthalate plasticizer (DEHP) was detected 170 times above the standard on the nose pads supporting the glasses. Several non-compliant areas were found on metal parts such as the front joint and hinge screws, and lead was detected 238 times above the standard on the hinge metal part of the eyeglass temple. Both eyeglass frames failed the domestic standard in total lead content tests.

Seoul City plans to expand inspection targets to overseas platforms with many domestic users in addition to the overseas platforms (AliExpress, Temu, SHEIN, Qoo10) where safety inspections have been intensively conducted recently. Considering purchase demand by period and consumer issues, the city will continue safety inspections that meet citizens' expectations to minimize safety blind spots. A Seoul City official added, "In September, we plan to expand inspection targets to products closely related to daily consumer life, conducting safety inspections on synthetic resin products such as norigae pacifiers, phone cases, and grip tok that have frequent skin contact during use."