Seoul authorities find dangerous chemicals in Shein products

Seoul authorities have identified dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals in children's products sold by the fast fashion giant Shein.

Reporting from Le Monde with AFP.

In short:

• Seoul authorities discovered excessive levels of toxic chemicals in Shein products, including children's shoes and bags.
• One product had phthalate levels 428 times above the legal limit, posing significant health risks.
• Shein claims to take product safety seriously and removes items from sale upon discovering violations.

Key quote:

"Upon learning of any claim against our products, we immediately remove the product(s) from our site as a matter of caution whilst conducting our investigations."

— Shein spokesperson

Why this matters:

Chemicals such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and azo dyes, commonly found in fast fashion items, pose serious health risks. Prolonged exposure can lead to skin irritations, respiratory problems, and more severe health issues like cancer and endocrine disruption. Children are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals, which can affect their development and long-term health.