New Zealand And Australia Recall Chinese-Made Formaldehyde Tainted Blankets
The formaldehyde-tainting scandal over in New Zealand and Australia continues today with a recall of Chinese-made blankets that are so full of formaldehyde that they could cause skin or respiratory irritation, according to the Associated Press.
Wholesale firm Charles Parsons said the level of formaldehyde in the Superlux brand of blankets 'may cause short-term skin or respiratory irritation.'In case you were wondering, the U.S. does have standards for the safe level of formaldehyde in clothing, but New Zealand does not.The recall came as New Zealand's Ministry of Consumer Affairs said it plans next week to start testing Chinese-made clothing for formaldehyde.
But ministry general manager Liz MacPherson said there were no New Zealand standards for the safe level of formaldehyde in clothing.
Formaldehyde is used to prevent creasing in clothes and fabrics but is also linked to health problems ranging from skin complaints to cancer.
Chinese-made blankets recalled in Australia, New Zealand over formaldehyde content [MSN Money]
NZealand, Australia recall Chinese blankets over formaldehyde [Forbes]
(Photo:digitonin)
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n case you were wondering, the U.S. does have standards for the safe level of formaldehyde in clothing, but New Zealand does not.
Betcha they will now!
The train rolls on...
Wholesale firm Charles Parsons said the level of formaldehyde in the Superlux brand of blankets 'may cause short-term skin or respiratory irritation.'SHORT-TERM SKIN IRRITATION = BURNS
Why wouldn't they mention the fire hazard? A child already got burned as a result of wearing these clothes to near a heater.
You know what will help cool off that formaldehyde burn? Rub a little antifreeze toothpaste on it.
Save the kitten! Save the KITTEN!!
This is getting absurd. China should simply declare war against the world, and get on with it.
(to the slow: this doesn't mean Singaporeans, Thai or even Chinese-Americans in San Francisco are guilty. Geez!)
skin irritation = rash not burns but nonetheless I don't think having formaldehyde at a level that causes your skin to react is a good thing. In fact, I'm sure I'd rather my clothes come out of the package wrinkled than have any level of formaldehyde in them. Also this is about a blanket and not a child's clothes so that is probably why it wasn't mentioned.
the leaky leaky
KITTEN!
I am very surprised it took all this time for this china thing to explode. We have been eating, using and wearing dangerous products from china for decades. I dont see it as much as china's fault. the same products used to be produced locally until banned, mostly in the 70's and the industries moved to china or other countries with less quality or law processes. US companies know what they do in china, they used to do it themselves here.
anyway, news like this look less dramatic if cute kitties are shown in the picture.
@thegcinfo: No,
SHORT-TERM SKIN IRRITATION = BURNS
[consumerist.com]
@kjherron: She never seemed like a kook to me but, yeah.
@kjherron: Of course she was a kook! Dr. Internet diagnosed her with a latex allergy and we all know he's never wrong!
Coupla dozen cases of formaldehyde reactions later...
The sad thing is that the kitten died on that blanket three weeks before the photo was taken.
...of "spontaneous" combustion (sob!)
Ever
Why did that post?
Anyways..
Ever hear the saying you get what you pay for? Well, apparently some businesses haven't. I'm not saying the more expensive something is, the better it is... just ask yourself...
Why is it so cheap?
Low pay and god-awful safety regulations tend to trim the overhead a bit.
Some mummy out there is all like "Man, what's wrong with being full of formaldehyde?"
Clarification of misleading error:
What we have learned recently here...
We don't have 'our own' standard for formaldehyde, it's true--New Zealand uses an international standard.
The test results (by AgriQuality, an otherwise reputable laboratory) were compared against the wrong standard and the results published (on TV) by an hyperactive-style 'consumer' show ('Target', TV3)
The worrying results given were for total formaldehyde content of a fibre, BUT the standard used is for free or free-able formaldehyde.
There is a big difference, and the Min of Consumer Affairs is re-testing.
Kindest Regards,
Gnu Zealand
Misleading Test Results Cause Credibility Crisis!
The tests referred to were carried out by a reputable laboratory (AgriQuality), but were the wrong tests.
TV3's programme 'Target' commissioned the tests, but the results given were for total formaldehyde content in the fibre, not free or free-able formaldehyde. Big difference.
And, it's true, New Zealand doesn't have it's own standards for Formaldehyde content, we use international ones.
Kindest Ragards,
Gnu Zealand
@BrockBrockman: Some mummy out there is all like "Man, what's wrong with being full of formaldehyde?"
Hmmmm, maybe China will make a Geico-like commercial but with mummies instead. He could be on a airport moving sidewalk and go past a newspaper stand, can't forget the groovy music.
Everyone is paying attention to the kitten but no one has said anything about the ninja cat in the background.
Train keeps a rollin all night long