Australia & New Zealand recall chinese blankets
Chinese-made blankets found to contain high levels of formaldehyde have been recalled across Australia and New Zealand, the distributor said.
By Agencies |
WELLINGTON: Chinese-made blankets found to contain high levels of formaldehyde have been recalled across Australia and New Zealand, the distributor said on Wednesday, as retailers sought urgent testing of clothing imported from China.
The voluntary recall by Australian-based Charles Parsons came two days after the New Zealand government launched an urgent investigation after scientists found dangerous levels of formaldehyde in woolen and cotton clothes made in China.
Charles Parsons decline to release the total number of blankets involved, but spokesman Mark Bilton said "there's a lot" in Australia and about 800 in New Zealand.
Tests had shown the formaldehyde level in the "Superlux" label blankets was "above the European and US standards. There are no standards in Australia and New Zealand so it's a voluntary recall," he said.
Independent tests had revealed the chemical's content was "less" that 1,500 parts per million, the maximum level permitted in Germany, but "we've decided not to get into those details," Bilton said.
Formaldehyde, a chemical preservative that gives a permanent press effect to clothes and is also used as an embalming fluid, can cause problems ranging from skin rashes to cancer.
The recall came as government research agency AgResearch said it had been swamped by clothing companies wanting urgent testing on Chinese imports after dangerous levels of formaldehyde were found in Chinese-made clothes at some New Zealand stores.
The voluntary recall by Australian-based Charles Parsons came two days after the New Zealand government launched an urgent investigation after scientists found dangerous levels of formaldehyde in woolen and cotton clothes made in China.
Charles Parsons decline to release the total number of blankets involved, but spokesman Mark Bilton said "there's a lot" in Australia and about 800 in New Zealand.
Tests had shown the formaldehyde level in the "Superlux" label blankets was "above the European and US standards. There are no standards in Australia and New Zealand so it's a voluntary recall," he said.
Independent tests had revealed the chemical's content was "less" that 1,500 parts per million, the maximum level permitted in Germany, but "we've decided not to get into those details," Bilton said.
Formaldehyde, a chemical preservative that gives a permanent press effect to clothes and is also used as an embalming fluid, can cause problems ranging from skin rashes to cancer.
ADVERTISEMENT
The recall came as government research agency AgResearch said it had been swamped by clothing companies wanting urgent testing on Chinese imports after dangerous levels of formaldehyde were found in Chinese-made clothes at some New Zealand stores.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
