Be cautious when buying children's raincoats: watchdog
The Consumer Council tested 14 raincoats and ponchos labelled as suitable for children aged 3 to 7. Photo: RTHK
The Consumer Council on Tuesday urged parents to be more vigilant when purchasing children's raincoats, after some were found to contain harmful chemicals exceeding international safety standards.
The watchdog put out the advisory following tests on 14 raincoats and ponchos labelled as suitable for children between 110cm and 130cm tall, or aged 3 to 7.
It found that two models contained phthalates – chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and durable – that exceeded European standards, with the worst case surpassing the limit by 11 times.
The two brands involved are B.Duck and One.
The watchdog said the risk of absorbing phthalates is normally low but warned that the use of sunscreen, wounds on the skin and having eczema could increase such a risk.
It said absorbing the hazardous chemical may disrupt children's endocrine system and even affect their reproductive health.
The B.Duck product was also found to contain lead levels exceeding US regulatory limits.
Additionally, the council found that raincoats from three brands – Kocotree, Smart Angel, and One – had cords and drawstrings that failed to meet European safety standards, posing a higher risk of strangulation.
'We suggest manufacturers to review their product materials and change to materials that do not have such hazardous chemicals,' Angel Cheung, the council's director of research and survey, said.
'For physical safety, we suggest manufacturers review their design of raincoats and ponchos to avoid having long drawstrings and cords to safeguard children safety and health.'
In response to the report, B.Duck submitted its own test results to the council, saying they did not find any abnormalities in their products but had suspended sales.
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