Survey Reveals Alarming Levels of Toxic Chemicals in Children's PVC Sandals in China

According to a survey conducted by the Shenzhen Zero Waste Environmental Protection Public Welfare Development Center, a charitable environmental protection organization, 10 samples of the top 10 best-selling products were purchased from five e-commerce platforms and sent to a qualified third-party testing agency for analysis. The results showed that 25 out of 50 sampled pairs of children's PVC sandals exceeded the safety standard for phthalate content, with an overall violation rate of 50%.

Among the 25 sandals that exceeded limits, the average phthalate level was 365 times higher than the standard, with the highest being 509 times. One sample, which exceeded the limit by 496 times, had sold over 1 million pairs. Furthermore, the survey found that 20 out of the 25 violating samples (80%) were unbranded products with no labeling.

Phthalates are widely used and inexpensive plasticizers, but they are also known endocrine disruptors. They can enter the human body through skin contact, inhalation, and other exposure pathways. Long-term exposure has been linked to abnormal development in children, early puberty, impaired reproductive system development, ADHD, increased risk of diseases such as asthma, allergies, and chronic heavy metal poisoning, as well as reduced sperm quality in adult men and hormonal imbalances in women.

How to Choose Safe Sandals for Children:

• Buy from reputable sources: Choose to shop at reputable malls, supermarkets, or official brand stores on e-commerce platforms. Prioritize well-known brands with good reputations, as they tend to have better quality control and safety assurance.

• Check the labeling carefully: Official product labels should include information such as product name, manufacturer name and address, applicable standards, material composition, etc. Products that comply with the mandatory national safety standard for children’s footwear ("GB 30585") should be given priority.

• Avoid “three-no” products: Do not buy products with no brand, no certification, and no clear origin.

• Be cautious with selection:

  • Avoid sandals with overly bright colors or strong odors, as these may contain high levels of toxic substances like heavy metals or plasticizers.

  • Don’t buy shoes without non-slip soles, which help prevent children from slipping and falling.

  • Avoid shoes with small decorative parts that children could tear off and accidentally swallow.

• Let children try on the sandals: Make sure the child walks around to check for natural gait and comfort. Watch for signs of tightness, rubbing, or imbalance. Choose shoes that fit well, are non-slip, and made of uniform material with minimal decorations and quality craftsmanship.

• Check product quality information: For some brands, you can find quality inspection reports on the company’s official website or the e-commerce platform. Pay attention to tests for plasticizers (7 types of phthalates), formaldehyde levels (≤20mg/kg for children's shoes, ≤75mg/kg for materials in direct contact with children's skin), anti-slip performance, and other safety indicators.