Consumer Agency: "Carcinogens Detected at 479 Times the Limit in Online-Sold Children's Science Kits"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Carcinogenic substances exceeding the standard by up to 479 times were detected in some children's science kits sold on online shopping malls. Additionally, these products were sold without the KC mark, a safety confirmation label, prompting consumer caution.

The Korea Consumer Agency announced on the 12th that a safety and labeling survey conducted on 25 children's science kit products sold on online malls revealed these findings.

The survey targeted 25 products, including 5 car-making kits, 7 bouncy ball-making kits, 6 glow bracelet-making kits, and 7 plaster air freshener-making kits.

Among the 5 car-making kits, phthalate plasticizers exceeding the safety standard (0.1% or less) by up to 479 times were detected in the wires of 3 products. Phthalate plasticizers are endocrine-disrupting substances that adversely affect reproduction and growth, can cause liver toxicity, and are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The detected products were three: Steam Science's 'Color Mixing Electric Wind Car,' Sang-A Science's 'Speed Control Wind Car Making Kit,' and Science Time's 'Eco-friendly and Clean Energy Electric Car Making Kit,' according to the Consumer Agency.

In the 7 bouncy ball-making kits, boron was released from the liquid mixtures that come into contact with the skin, exceeding the safety standard by up to 13 times. Boron is also classified as a substance that can affect reproductive function and development. Making these products with bare hands posed risks of eye and skin irritation and boron exposure.

No harmful substances such as phthalate plasticizers or formaldehyde were detected in the glow bracelet-making or plaster air freshener-making kits.

Meanwhile, warning labels for accident prevention were missing in most products.

Among the 5 car-making kits, one product did not display the age warning label required by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 'Safety Standards for Children's Products Subject to Safety Confirmation.' The bouncy ball, glow bracelet, and plaster air freshener kits did not display age warnings, chemical substance lists, first aid information, or safety rules.

Although the 25 surveyed products are mainly used in elementary school curricula or after-school learning programs, 11 products indicated a usage age of 14 years or older, and 11 products did not indicate age at all, showing inconsistency. If a business operator labels the product for ages 14 and above, it is excluded from legal regulation under the Special Act on Safety of Children's Products.

Furthermore, none of the products bore the KC mark indicating compliance with safety standards, revealing inadequate management of children's science kits.

The Consumer Agency recommended corrective actions to the businesses whose products contained harmful substances, and the businesses agreed to suspend sales and recall the products. They also requested the National Institute of Technology and Standards to strengthen management and supervision of children's science kits and urged consumers to always check for the KC mark.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.