Detection of Harmful Substances in Some Synthetic Leather Tablet PC Cases

Consumer Agency Investigates 42 Smart Device Accessories

Status of Harmful Substances Detected in Tablet Cases.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Amid the increase in consumers using smart devices such as tablets and laptops for online classes and remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, harmful substances have been detected in some tablet PC cases distributed and sold in the market.

On the 19th, the Korea Consumer Agency announced that after investigating 42 smart device accessories, including 22 tablet cases, 10 earphones, and 10 headsets, phthalate plasticizers and lead exceeding the applied standards were found in three tablet cases made of synthetic leather.

In Korea, there are safety standards for tablet cases, earphones, and headsets made of synthetic resin materials, but no safety standards exist for synthetic leather materials. Therefore, in tablet cases that use synthetic leather on the front and synthetic resin on the back, some parts of the product are regulated while others are not.

In this investigation, safety tests were conducted by applying the safety standards for synthetic resin products. As a result, phthalate plasticizers exceeding the applied standard of 0.1% by up to 169 times were detected in three tablet PC cases. Additionally, lead was detected at 3,396.7 mg/kg in one product, exceeding the applied standard (300 mg/kg or less) by 11 times. The businesses responsible for these products have decided to stop sales and offer exchanges or refunds upon consumer request.

Phthalate plasticizers, which are endocrine-disrupting substances, can damage the liver and kidneys. They also affect reproductive functions, such as reducing male sperm count and causing female infertility. Lead can cause decreased intelligence development in children, loss of appetite, anemia, and is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the World Health Organization.

The Korea Consumer Agency plans to recommend to the National Institute of Technology and Standards that Korea expand the scope of safety standards for synthetic resin products to include products coated with synthetic resin on skin-contact areas, as the European Union applies safety standards for harmful substances to all consumer goods that come into contact with the skin.

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