According to Chinese media outlets, the Shenzhen (Guangdong) Waste-Free Environmental Protection Public Welfare Development Center recently conducted an investigation. They purchased the top 10 best-selling products from five e-commerce platforms, sampling 50 pairs of children’s slippers that were sent for professional third-party testing.
Alarmingly, the results revealed that 25 pairs had phthalate levels exceeding the standard, with an average excess of 365 times, and the highest being 509 times the safe limit. One particular product, with phthalate levels 496 times higher than permitted, was a massive seller, with over 1 million pairs sold.
Furthermore, 20 out of the 25 pairs of slippers with excessive phthalate levels were unbranded products.
25 out of 50 tested pairs of slippers contained phthalate levels hundreds of times higher than the safe limit. (Image: Weibo)
Experts explain that phthalates are cheap plasticizers commonly used in the production of plastic packaging, children’s toys, and various other plastic items. They are added to make plastics more flexible and less brittle. Phthalates can enter the human body through skin contact and respiratory pathways.
Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can lead to abnormal development in children, increasing the risks of asthma, early puberty, impaired reproductive system development, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. For adults, extended exposure to phthalate plasticizers can also reduce sperm quality in men and cause endocrine disorders in women, impacting fetal development.
In light of the discovery of high levels of phthalates in many children’s slippers, experts advise consumers to return items if they detect a strong chemical or burnt plastic smell. It is recommended to purchase branded products with clear ingredient labels. If the soles of the slippers are too soft and easily deform, they may contain excessive amounts of plasticizers.
“New plastic slippers should be aired and sun-dried for three days; plasticizers will be released faster in a high-temperature environment,” experts caution.
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