Heavy metals in child products
By Wang Qingchu and Lu Feiran |
December 8, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MORE than a third of 500 children's products bought in five cities in China contained at least one type of toxic heavy metal, according to a report by environmental groups.
An excessive amount of lead was detected in 48 items, the study by Greenpeace and the International Persistent Organic Pollutants Elimination Network found.
The environmental groups bought children's products, including toys, stationery, clothing and glasses, from retailers and wholesale markets in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Hong Kong in November and December, the report said.
An X-ray fluorescence analyzer was used to scan for six types of heavy metals: lead, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury.
At least one type of the heavy metals was detected in 163 items, while 48 pieces contained lead exceeding the national limit of 600 parts per million. The lead levels in another 34 items exceeded 90ppm, a stricter threshold adopted by the United States and Canada, the report showed.
Heavy metals pose a serious danger to children's health as they could damage their neurological systems and lead to diminished brain, mental and physical development. Heavy metals can enter children's bodies if they licked or chewed the products or inhaled contaminated dust, the report said.
The two groups are calling for tougher rules to limit the amount of heavy metals in children's products.
In Shanghai, the main problems found with children's products during inspections were sharp objects in toys that could hurt children and chemical irritants in clothes. Heavy metals, however, were not included in inspections.
Experts say heavy metals usually exists in dye, so if toys and clothes are too brightly colored, parents should be cautious.
An excessive amount of lead was detected in 48 items, the study by Greenpeace and the International Persistent Organic Pollutants Elimination Network found.
The environmental groups bought children's products, including toys, stationery, clothing and glasses, from retailers and wholesale markets in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Hong Kong in November and December, the report said.
An X-ray fluorescence analyzer was used to scan for six types of heavy metals: lead, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury.
At least one type of the heavy metals was detected in 163 items, while 48 pieces contained lead exceeding the national limit of 600 parts per million. The lead levels in another 34 items exceeded 90ppm, a stricter threshold adopted by the United States and Canada, the report showed.
Heavy metals pose a serious danger to children's health as they could damage their neurological systems and lead to diminished brain, mental and physical development. Heavy metals can enter children's bodies if they licked or chewed the products or inhaled contaminated dust, the report said.
The two groups are calling for tougher rules to limit the amount of heavy metals in children's products.
In Shanghai, the main problems found with children's products during inspections were sharp objects in toys that could hurt children and chemical irritants in clothes. Heavy metals, however, were not included in inspections.
Experts say heavy metals usually exists in dye, so if toys and clothes are too brightly colored, parents should be cautious.
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