Bought a Children's Umbrella Online... Found Harmful Substances 444 Times Over the Limit

Eight Types of Umbrellas Also Fail to Meet Physical Safety Standards

Harmful substances exceeding the safety standard by 444 times have been found in children's umbrellas available for direct purchase from Ali and Temu.

On June 27, Seoul City announced the results of its inspection of 23 children's umbrellas, raincoats, and boots sold on Ali and Temu, as well as 12 ultra-low-priced household and children's products, to check for the presence of hazardous chemicals in anticipation of the rainy season.

Children's umbrella detected with harmful substances exceeding the domestic standard by 443.5 times. Provided by Seoul City

The inspection revealed that six children's umbrella products contained phthalate-based plasticizers in excess of the safety standard. In particular, an umbrella sold on Ali was found to have phthalate-based plasticizers in the cap of the umbrella adjuster at levels 443.5 times higher than the domestic standard. Additionally, two products were found to contain lead at levels 27.7 times above the safety limit.

Phthalate-based plasticizers are substances that can cause endocrine disruption and affect reproductive functions, including reduced sperm count, infertility, and premature birth. Lead exposure above safety standards can also harm reproductive functions and increase the risk of cancer.

Many products were also found to fail to meet physical safety standards. All eight children's umbrella products were affected. Many of these products had "sharp ends," which could cause injuries such as cuts or punctures during use by children. Three children's raincoat products also failed to meet physical safety standards. For example, some had decorative cords on the hoods, which are prohibited and could pose risks of entanglement or strangulation when worn by children.

Based on these inspection results, the city has requested online platforms to suspend sales of the non-compliant products. Consumers are strongly advised to exercise caution when purchasing children's products from overseas direct purchase platforms. In July, the city plans to conduct safety inspections on children's water play products, swimsuits, and swim caps in preparation for the summer vacation season.