Study: children’s clothes from Shein and Temu contain toxic chemicals

A recent study by South Korean officials indicates that children’s clothing from fast-fashion retailers Shein and Temu contain toxic substances. Several children’s winter items were tested and the results found toxins such as lead and cadmium in pieces from the two retailers. Exposure to these toxins – by ingestion or prolonged exposure – can have long-term effects on children’s health. The presence of phthalates and formaldehyde is another concern because they can interfere with hormones and increase the risk of cancer. Recently, South Korean authorities have ramped up inspections toward Shein and Temu, discovering lead levels in certain clothing items that exceed legal thresholds more than tenfold.
Concerns over fast-fashion products for children are also prompting calls for action in the United States. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has started investigating Shein and Temu amid worries about baby and toddler items potentially breaching safety standards. Some goods sold in the country reportedly have high levels of phthalates and lead, making them especially dangerous for young children. In California, Shein has been accused of violating the safety requirements of Proposition 65, which compels businesses to warn buyers about the presence of harmful chemicals in their products. However, regulatory screenings remain inadequate or easy to bypass. Therefore, the key responsibility falls on parents who should stay informed and lessen their family’s exposure to toxic substances, making safer shopping decisions and washing new clothes before use.