Bought a lot because it was cheap... Ali and Temu accessories sold contain carcinogens up to 700 times the safety limit

As so-called 'C-commerce' platforms like AliExpress and Temu expand their influence in the domestic market based on low prices, carcinogens up to 700 times the domestic standard were detected in jewelry traded on these Chinese online commerce platforms. Incheon Customs announced on the 7th, "Analysis of the components of jewelry sold on AliExpress and Temu revealed that 96 out of 404 products (24%) contained carcinogens exceeding the standard levels."

These ultra-low-priced jewelry items, averaging around 2,000 KRW (including shipping), contained cadmium and lead at levels ranging from at least 10 times to as much as 700 times the domestic safety standards. By platform, 48 products each were related to AliExpress and Temu, and by type, there were 47 earrings, 23 rings, 10 necklaces, and 8 anklets.

Carcinogenic Substances Detected in Jewelry [Image Source: Provided by Incheon Main Customs]

원본보기 아이콘

Cadmium is a soft, bluish-white transition metal extracted from zinc ore and is mainly used in battery production. Exposure typically occurs through the respiratory and digestive systems, and poisoning can cause respiratory, renal, and digestive diseases. Itai-itai disease, an environmental illness, is a representative symptom of cadmium poisoning. Lead also accumulates in the body through inhalation, and chronic exposure can cause poisoning symptoms such as anemia, abdominal pain, headaches, speech disorders, and nerve paralysis. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies lead and cadmium as Group 2 human carcinogens.

Incheon Customs plans to strengthen customs clearance management and supervision of products containing harmful substances in consultation with relevant authorities and will request these platforms to suspend sales. An official from Incheon Customs stated, "Detailed information on products containing cadmium and lead can be found on the Incheon Customs website," and urged, "Please exercise special caution when purchasing jewelry from Chinese overseas direct purchase platforms."

Meanwhile, the app and retail analysis service 'WiseApp·Retail·Goods' reported that in March, AliExpress ranked second with 8.88 million monthly application users on domestic online commerce platforms, followed by Temu with 8.3 million users, ranking third after Coupang.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.