Carcinogens Found in Children's Helmets Purchased Overseas... 746 Times Higher Than Safety Standard

Seoul City Inspects Children's Sports Products
Carcinogens Detected, Including Plasticizers and Cadmium

Phthalate plasticizers, which are harmful substances, were detected in children's helmets purchased through overseas direct purchase, exceeding the domestic safety standard by 746 times. Phthalate plasticizers are chemicals that can cause endocrine disruption and can affect reproductive functions, leading to reduced sperm count, infertility, and premature birth.

On October 10, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it had conducted safety inspections on 28 children's products sold on overseas online platforms-including roller skates, sports protective gear, and clothing-due to increased outdoor activities in the autumn season. As a result, 12 products were found to be non-compliant with domestic safety standards.

A model that failed the safety inspection for overseas direct purchase products conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Seoul Metropolitan Government

This inspection covered two types of children's roller skates, three types of sports protective equipment, 17 types of clothing, two types of shoes, and four ultra-low-priced children's products sold on Aliexpress and Temu.

Both of the children's roller skate products tested positive for phthalate plasticizers and cadmium. In areas such as the Velcro straps used to secure the foot, phthalate plasticizers were detected at up to 706.3 times the domestic standard (with a total of seven types, including DEHP, required to be 0.1% or less). Cadmium was found in decorative holograms on the shoes at 3.8 times the permissible limit (75 mg/kg or less).

Phthalate plasticizers are substances that can cause endocrine disruption and are classified as Group 2B possible human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Cadmium is a carcinogen that can cause bone abnormalities and accumulate in the liver and kidneys.

One out of the two roller skate products also failed to meet physical safety standards. Strength tests revealed product cracks and breakage, with the shoe separating from the plate.

In children's helmet products, phthalate plasticizers were detected on the exterior, interior, and chin guard at up to 746.6 times the domestic standard, and lead was found at up to 57.6 times the standard (100 mg/kg or less). The protective gear set failed all tests for impact strength, penetration resistance, and shock absorption.

Among six children's clothing and shoe products, four were found to contain harmful substances such as phthalate plasticizers, cadmium, and lead. In the t-shirt patches, phthalate plasticizers were detected at 423 times the standard, and cadmium at 4.7 times the standard. Lead was found in the zipper of a jacket, some buttons on a shirt, and the upper of a sneaker at 4.25, 5.67, and 2.74 times the permissible limits, respectively.

Three children's clothing products failed to meet safety standards related to drawstrings. A blouse designed for children under seven years old had a neck string, which is prohibited on the neck and chest areas. There were also pants with excessively long waist strings and a shirt with a rear ribbon long enough to pose an accident risk.

Two children's keyring products were also found to have lead levels exceeding the standard by 1.8 times and 1.3 times, respectively. Based on the results of this inspection, the city requested the respective online platforms to suspend sales of the non-compliant products. In November, the city plans to conduct safety inspections on children's winter accessories and clothing. The results of the safety inspections can be found on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website or the Seoul Electronic Commerce Center website.

A model that failed the safety inspection for overseas direct purchase products conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Seoul Metropolitan Government