Carcinogens Found in Children's Shoes Sold on Overseas Platforms

Children's sandals sold on overseas online platforms have been found to contain carcinogens, raising serious safety concerns.

In preparation for the summer season, the Seoul Metropolitan Government conducted safety tests on 21 products, including children's shoes, toys, and hats, sold on platforms such as AliExpress and Temu.

The results revealed that three children's shoe products failed to meet safety standards. In two of these products, phthalate plasticizers were detected at levels up to 284.6 times the permissible limit in materials such as the main fabric, decorations, and insoles.

Phthalate plasticizers are substances that can disrupt the endocrine system and affect reproductive functions, potentially leading to a decrease in sperm count and infertility.

Among these, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Another shoe product was deemed unsuitable because it contained eight small parts, which are prohibited in products intended for children under 36 months of age.

One children's hat also failed the safety test as the pH level of its outer fabric fell outside the permitted range.

If the pH level of a textile product deviates from the standard, resulting in high acidity or alkalinity, it may cause skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis.

Based on these test results, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has requested that the respective overseas online platforms suspend the sale of the products that failed to meet safety standards.

The city also advised consumers to carefully check product information and safety labels before purchasing, noting that products bought through overseas direct shipping do not undergo KC certification and their safety has not been verified.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Ui-seon | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.