MELBOURNE: Australian department stores and retailers are carrying a children's footwear product which contains dangerous levels of toxic substances, an industry report has alleged.
German-based testing firm TUV Rheinland found a local variety of black leather shoes contained more than eleven times the level of alkylphenols legally permitted in the European market. The shoes were stocked in major retail stores across Australia and manufactured in China.
Alkylphenols were chemical compounds used in the manufacturing process and were classified as a health and environmental hazard by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission.
The study also found the shoes contained 140 times the level of phthalates allowed in imported products sold in Germany. Tests found that high exposure to some phthalates could increase the risk of cancer and be a long term health hazard.
TUV Rheinland was commissioned to conduct the study by The Council of Textiles & Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA), an industry body aimed at protecting the local manufacturing sector.
TFIA executive Jo Kellock claimed there was no Australian body which monitored imported and finished textile, clothing and footwear product for harmful substances.
"This reinforces the urgency with which the government must enforce far higher safety standards with regards to the products we import."
"Other major global economies already have strict criteria banning the importation of products with chemical levels deemed dangerous to human health - whereas Australia fails to adequately monitor the importation of such products."
The results were the first findings in a series of tests conducted on children's shoes for 18 known harmful substances.
Kellock said the name of the brand in question could not be disclosed for legal reasons.