Lead Detected in Children's Notebook Sets Sold Online
Hazardous Substances Including Cadmium and Phthalates Found in Imported Stationery
Seoul City to Strengthen Safety Inspections on Overseas Direct Purchase Products
Lead was detected in ballpoint pens sold on overseas direct purchase online platforms at 231 times the domestic standard. Phthalate plasticizers and cadmium exceeding the standard were also found in erasers attached to pencils and notebook covers.
On the 27th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that out of 16 stationery products sold on Temu, Shein, and AliExpress inspected ahead of the new school term, 7 products contained harmful substances exceeding domestic standards.
Non-compliant products found to contain harmful substances in the February Seoul City survey. Provided by Seoul City
The "notebook set (notebook and ballpoint pen)" was judged non-compliant as lead, cadmium, and phthalate plasticizers all exceeded domestic standards. In particular, lead in the pen refill was detected at 231 times the domestic standard, cadmium in the notebook cover at 5.6 times, and phthalate plasticizers at 92.2 times the standard. Phthalate plasticizers were also detected at 1.5 times the standard in the transparent film inside the notebook cover.
Exposure to lead above safety standards can harm reproductive functions and increase the risk of cancer. During pregnancy, it can affect brain development and cause learning and behavioral problems in children. Cadmium is a carcinogenic substance that can cause bone abnormalities and accumulate in the liver and kidneys, potentially causing problems in the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems. Phthalate plasticizers are substances that can cause endocrine disorders, affecting reproductive functions such as reduced sperm count, infertility, and premature birth.
In the "pencil set (pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser)," phthalate plasticizers were detected at 28.4 times the domestic standard in the pencil film area. For the "bendable pencil," phthalate plasticizers were detected up to 111.5 times (blue color) in the plastic parts, and 5.2 times in the eraser attached to the pencil tip. Lead was detected at 3.8 times in the yellow plastic parts, and organotin compounds were detected at approximately 1.7 times and 1.5 times in the white and purple plastic parts, respectively.
Additionally, in children's "leather pencil cases," phthalate plasticizers were detected at 40.5 times, lead up to 1.25 times depending on the part, and cadmium up to 1.5 times the standard. Paint applied to children's "xylophones" contained barium at 3.4 times the domestic standard.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to continuously monitor the safety of products sold on overseas online platforms. It also intends to expand inspections of overseas direct purchase products considering consumer demand and issues, aiming to minimize safety blind spots.
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