Posted on 08/21/2007 7:16:37 AM PDT by LM_Guy
The safety problems affecting Chinese goods spread from toys to textiles on Monday as New Zealand said it would investigate allegations that imported children’s clothes contained dangerous levels of formaldehyde.
The government ordered the probe after scientists hired by a consumer watchdog programme discovered formaldehyde in Chinese clothes at levels of up to 900 times regarded as safe. Manufacturers sometimes apply formaldehyde to clothes to prevent mildew. It can cause skin rashes, irritation to the eyes and throat and allergic reactions.
The Warehouse, a New Zealand retailer, issued a recall at the weekend for children’s pyjamas made in China after two children were burned when their flannelette nightclothes caught fire.
The New Zealand investigation is the first time that the safety of Chinese clothes has been called into question; concerns have been raised over a series of Chinese products in recent months, including toys, food and toothpaste. Last week, Mattel said it was recalling 18.2m toys globally because of hazards such as the use of lead paint.
The latest concerns came as Li Changjiang, head of China’s safety watchdog, claimed the product safety scares were “a new trend of trade protectionism”, and accused some governments of “demonising China’s products”.
Hiscomments reflected Beijing’s anxiety over growing fears of Chinese exports in the US and Europe, but they were dismissed by Peter Mandelson, the European Union trade commissioner.
“The allegation that European companies’ action against toxic Chinese goods is politically motivated and shows bias against China is totally false,” said Mr Mandelson on Monday. “As trade commissioner, I will not accept claims of toxicity being used as a pretext for protectionism.’’
Economists say the safety scandals have so far had limited impact on exports, in part as toys accounted for less than 1 per cent of overall exports last year, while foodstuffs....
(Excerpt) Read more at ft.com ...
My fathaer was raised in the European community in Shanghai and he says the god in china is money and people will do anything to get it.
They have them?
More from NZ:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1884191/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1883673/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1883342/posts
(will this spread like poison toothpaste?)
Yah right. WE'RE the bad guy.
Git yer ch*t on straight, or we ain't buyin' what yer sellin', you (racist comment self-removed).
I just wonder how long this has been going on...and what other products are poisioned...
Seems like China and wal*mart are trying to poision the U.S.
"Stupid Westerners. Don't you know formaldehyde is good for you? Besides with any luck it will be worthless girl children who will burn to death in the ChiCom PJ's."
L
Don’t know if this was posted here but quite a story about some walmart sandals. Warning. Graphic pictures..
http://www.lamanaphotography.com/walmart.htm
I have been working with Asian companies for many years. One thing you can say about them is that they have big brass ones.
They can fall down on a deal with you 100 times and that is no problem. The one time you fail to deliver on time, you never hear the end of it. They will bring it up for years.
Then you mention to them that they failed to deliver 100 times. They will say that was just part of doing business. You failing to deliver, well, that is almost the earth coming to an end.
Just part of their business style.
China IS our enemy. And I think would like to see us all dead. It would appear that is the plan with all the dead pets
and the attempted murder of our children?! Now poison flip flops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for posting this yldstrk.
I had not seen it prior to this.
Thanks for posting this.
Someone correct me if I am wrong here but I believe that the application of water, soap and agitation should remove formaldehyde from cloth.
I am sending your URL to my wife as an example of why I am against shopping at Wal-mart. I haven’t in 7-years and I have asked my new wife to stop. She use to all the time, but now says she will not anymore but only in respect for my wishes. This will help me show her why!
Dosen’t seem to really link to anything..
Contact dermatitis is common among folks who do not wash their new sheets & pillowcases before use. I’ve been told it is the sizing that causes this problem. Maybe it’s a combination of formaldehyde and sizing.
Just guessing.
Link works.
This one sounds BOGUS..
Do we have a chemist here?
Formaldahyde is a liquid, It converts to a gas at room temperature doesn’t it.
Yes it does just looked it up...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde
Heck, Real SOJU in the ROK Contains/ed Formaldahyde... and we used to drink it...
Apparently so does LAO Beer
I find it hard to imagine there is sufficient formaldahyde residue on a dry article of clothing for it to be a legitimate concern.
Further anyone with half a brain washes newly purchased clothes for children at least..
Wish my chemistry was up to snuff cause this one does not ring true to me at all..
Chemists out there .... a little help?
BS BUSTERS Say’s This one smells bogus....
W
bump
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