Fast fashion giant called out over dangerous find in clothes (2024)
Children’s products sold by fast fashion behemoth Shein have been found to contain toxic substances hundreds of times above acceptable levels, researchers say.
The Chinese-founded online shopping giant has surged in popularity thanks to its ultra-cheap apparel and accessories, selling to customers in more than 150 countries — including huge numbers in Australia.
Its skyrocketing market traction across the globe has brought with it increased scrutiny of its operations and standards, with South Korean officials keeping a close eye on Shein and competitors Temu and AliExpress.
Eight leather Shein products were recently tested by Seoul authorities, with several found to contain unacceptable levels of phthalates, a chemical used to soften plastic and make it more durable.
Alarmingly, one pair of shoes contained 428 times the permitted level of phthalates, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government this week. Three bags were also found to have chemicals well above safety limits.
Phthalates are used in thousands of items including cosmetics, toys and containers, but have also been linked to a range of health problems including obesity and fertility troubles.
“Unlike officially imported products, overseas direct purchase products enter the country without separate safety inspections, creating a de facto safety blind spot,” a Seoul city official said.
“We cannot stand idly by while citizens’ health is at risk, so we have been announcing the results of our inspections conducted with professional institutions every week.”
Responding to the claims, Shein said it had strict controls and standards in place for suppliers and “takes product safety very seriously”.
Shein said more than 400,000 chemical safety tests had been carried out with international third-party testing agencies in the past year to ensure compliance.
“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 investigation,” a spokesperson for the business, which has its headquarters in Singapore, said.
“If non-compliance is verified, we will not hesitate to take appropriate follow-up action with the supplier of said product.”
Singapore’s Consumer Product Safety Office told 7NEWS.com.au it was aware of the reports and said it “will not hesitate to take action against non-compliant suppliers or sellers”.
“We will continue to engage Shein as well as the relevant South Korea regulators to follow up on the investigations,” a spokesperson said.
“We will work with the platform to remove the sale of products that are found to be non-compliant...
“We advise all consumers who have concerns around recently purchased goods from Shein to contact the platform for clarification and redress as needed.”
Shein’s popularity has exploded in Australian amid a cost-of-living crisis, with close to 800,000 shoppers looking to snap up cheap clothing and accessories each month, according to Roy Morgan.
Shein Australia is reported to have made close to $1 billion in revenue in 2023, with low costs and convenience proving a winning formula among young parents and larger households in particular.
“Shein and Temu have surprised everyone, few could have predicted that a mass market for ultra-cheap throw-away retail existed in Australia,” Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine said.
“Certainly, cost-of-living pressures have fuelled both Shein and Temu’s stunning rise as Australians look to get more for their dollars.”
Exposure to lead via clothing can happen either by direct skin contact or ingestion, and it's been associated with heightened chances of cardiovascular diseases and various health issues in adults and children (NCEBI).
It dries up water sources and pollutes rivers and streams, while 85% of all textiles go to dumps each year. Even washing clothes releases 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles.
However, despite Shein offering a secure shopping experience, it is surrounded by controversy that may make you weigh your purchasing choices. It raises ethical concerns over business practices and labor conditions, while its fast fashion model sparks debate over sustainability and the environmental impact.
Washing all clothes before the first wear can be helpful in eliminating some of the chemicals used in production, but just like you can't fully “remove” the pesticides by washing a non-organically grown vegetable, you can't remove all the toxins and synthetics from a piece of clothing with a cycle in the washing ...
Do Shein Clothes Really Contain Lead? Yes, many studies and research findings suggest elevated levels of lead in Shein clothes. In addition to lead usage, Shein also uses many other hazardous chemicals in their clothing and accessories that are considered dangerous.
The negative consequences of fast fashion extend beyond emissions, encompassing issues such as clothing and textile waste. A shocking 57% of discarded and unsold clothing ends up in landfills, releasing harmful greenhouse gases like methane as garments degrade.
Here are some facts: Garment workers who make the looks you love are paid some of the lowest wages in the nation, sometimes as little as $1.58 per hour – well below the legal minimum wage.
What Is Fast Fashion? Fast fashion is defined as mass-produced, trendy apparel available at rock-bottom prices. It's typically manufactured in areas of the world with the lowest labor costs, it's poorly constructed and it's produced from synthetic materials. The word “fast” refers to the condensed fashion cycle.
To reduce potential exposure to chemicals in new clothes, consider washing Shein clothes before wearing them. Use a gentle detergent, and consider adding baking soda to the wash, which may help neutralize odors and residues. Always follow the care instructions on the clothing label.
Yes, Amazon is a fast fashion brand. Amazon is a global e-commerce website that sells its own products alongside third-party brands and retailers. Amazon Fashion is a subsection of the Amazon site, promoting own-brand Amazon Essentials alongside third-party brands.
Yes, you can absolutely order from SHEIN right now! Their website is open 24/7, so you can browse and shop for clothes and accessories whenever you want.
One of the key ways that Shein and other fast-fashion brands keep prices low is by outsourcing manufacturing labor to cheaper markets, said Dana Thomas, a Paris-based fashion journalist and author of “Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes.”
Workers in Shein factories on average earn between 6,000 and 10,000 Chinese yuan per month, or about $831 to $1,385, according to a Tuesday report from human rights and environmental advocacy organization Public Eye.
Exposure to lead can also occur from inhalation, such as breathing lead that is scattered in the air as dust, fume or mist. Absorption of lead through the skin from wearing jewelry is not likely to pose as large a risk.
Some studies have found that lead can be absorbed through the skin. If you handle lead and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you are at risk. Lead dust can also get on your clothes and your hair.
Should I buy clothing with a Prop 65 warning label? For the wellbeing of yourself, others and the planet, you should probably not buy clothing with a Prop 65 warning label. As you wear the clothing, it will rub against your skin, and the chemicals in contact with your skin can be absorbed into your body.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that a blood lead level of 3.5 μg/dL or above is a cause for concern; however, lead may impair development and have harmful health effects even at lower levels, and there is no known safe exposure level.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
