Toxic substance in 2,000 "Baby Three"
According to information from Quang Ninh Provincial Police, a shipment of nearly 2,000 "Baby Three" teddy bears was found to contain formaldehyde levels exceeding the permitted threshold according to national technical regulations on children's toys.
The seized exhibits (Photo: Provided by the Police).
Formaldehyde (CH₂O) is a colorless chemical with a characteristic pungent odor, commonly used in the production of plastics, anti-wrinkle fabrics, glues and building materials. In the textile and toy industries, formaldehyde can appear in fabrics or glues to help products retain color and prevent wrinkles.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), formaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen - a group with clear evidence of causing cancer in humans. Since 2004, formaldehyde has been officially listed as a nasopharyngeal carcinogen, and is associated with myeloid leukemia.
Serious health effects
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), formaldehyde is classified as a group 1 substance - a group with clear evidence of causing cancer in humans (Photo: Getty).
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Administration (CPSC), exposure to formaldehyde, especially at high concentrations, can cause:
- Skin irritation: Causes itching, rash, contact dermatitis.
- Eye, nose, throat irritation: Causes watery eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat.
- Respiratory effects: Aggravates underlying diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, especially dangerous for children.
Long-term, persistent exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde may increase the risk of developing cancer, especially nasopharyngeal and lung cancer. Some epidemiological studies have noted a higher incidence of cancer in people who are regularly exposed to this chemical.
For young children, the risk is even greater due to their immature immune and respiratory systems. Children have the habit of hugging and putting toys in their mouths, making it easy for them to come into contact through the skin and respiratory tract.
A large epidemiological study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute followed more than 25,000 workers in the formaldehyde manufacturing industry in the United States.
Results showed that people exposed to high concentrations of formaldehyde had a higher risk of developing leukemia, especially acute myeloid leukemia (AML), than the unexposed group.
WHO also emphasizes that long-term exposure to formaldehyde even at low concentrations in the air (above 0.1 mg/m³) can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. With high and prolonged exposure, the risk of cancer increases significantly.
Be careful when choosing toys for children
According to experts, to limit the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals from toys, parents should note:
- Choose products with clear origin and full labels.
- Prioritize reputable brands, products that meet safety standards, have certification of compliance with Vietnamese standards or CE (Europe).
- Avoid products with strange chemical odors or strong odors, especially fabric toys and stuffed animals.
- Wash new toys before letting children use them to limit the amount of residual chemicals.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/2000-con-baby-three-co-formaldehyde-chat-gay-ung-thu-doc-voi-con-tre-20250602155407152.htm
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