Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on February 27th that safety tests conducted on 16 school supply products sold on overseas online platforms such as Temu, Shein, and AliExpress revealed that 7 products exceeded domestic safety standards for hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, and phthalate plasticizers.
Key Findings:
Notebook Set:Pen refills: Lead detected at 231 times the standard.
Notebook cover: Cadmium detected at 5.6 times the standard, phthalate plasticizers at 92.2 times the standard.
Transparent film inside the notebook cover: Phthalate plasticizers detected at 1.5 times the standard.
Pencil Set:Pencil film area: Phthalate plasticizers detected at 28.4 times the standard.
Bendable pencil plastic area: Phthalate plasticizers detected up to 111.5 times the standard.
Eraser on pencil end: Phthalate plasticizers detected at 5.2 times the standard.
Colored Pencils, Colored Pencil/Paint Sets: High levels of lead, organotin compounds, phthalate plasticizers, and cadmium detected.
Risks of Hazardous Substances:
Lead: Can cause reproductive problems, increased cancer risk, fetal brain development impairment, and learning and behavioral issues in children.
Cadmium: Accumulates in the liver and kidneys, carcinogenic, can cause bone abnormalities, and respiratory, nervous, and digestive system diseases.
Phthalate Plasticizers: Endocrine disruptors, negatively affect reproductive function such as decreased sperm count, infertility, and premature birth. DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Seoul Metropolitan Government's Response:
The city plans to expand safety inspections of overseas direct purchase products and will conduct additional safety tests on daily necessities sold on overseas direct purchase sites, including children's textile products, low-priced sneakers, and sunglasses, next month.
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