Hazardous Substances Found at 200 Times the Limit in Children's Headphones... International Direct Purchase Warning

Korea Consumer Agency inspects 20 headphones from international direct purchase platforms
35% fail to meet safety standards

Children's headphones sold on international direct purchase platforms such as Aliexpress, Temu, and Amazon have been found to not meet domestic safety standards, prompting calls for consumer caution.

The Korea Consumer Agency announced on March 19 that a safety inspection of 20 children's headphone products sold on major international direct purchase platforms revealed that 35% (7 products) did not meet safety standards.

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According to the results of the hazardous substances safety test, phthalate-based plasticizers were detected in seven products (cable, headband, and ear pads) at levels up to 200 times higher than the domestic safety standard (0.1% or lower). Among these, four products were found to contain lead at up to 39 times the domestic safety limit (100mg/kg or lower). All products tested were found to comply with the domestic safety standard for cadmium (75mg/kg or lower).

Phthalate-based plasticizers, which are environmental hormones, can negatively affect reproductive and developmental growth. Lead is a carcinogen and may cause reduced intelligence, loss of appetite, anemia, and muscle weakness, so caution is needed.

The Korea Consumer Agency shared the inspection results with the operators of international direct purchase platforms and recommended blocking the sale of these products. Aliexpress and Temu responded that they have discontinued sales of the affected products, but Amazon has not provided any response.

An official from the Korea Consumer Agency stated, "We will continue to monitor the domestic distribution status of international direct purchase products to prevent the spread of hazardous products that do not meet domestic safety standards."

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