Toxic chromate in its infancy

Again, unhealthy chromate discovered in baby shoes and sandals

04/29/2014

Once again, harmful chromate was discovered in children's shoes. The official laboratory in Freiburg has found in six of 23 pairs of children's and baby shoes exceeded the chromate limit, which is caused by faulty leather tanning. For consumer minister Alexander Bonde reason to further strengthen the controls and to appeal again and again to the due diligence and effective self-monitoring of companies.

Chromium VI is a reaction product from the tanning process
If it gets warmer, the desire for airy clothes and shoes increases. Many parents like to buy their children open leather shoes or sandals, as they are relatively impermeable to water but still breathable. But just leather can be a real health problem, because it may contain chromium VI (chromate), a reaction product of the tanning process - which may cause severe allergies. Especially children's shoes should of course be free of chromate - but as Baden-Württemberg's consumer minister Alexander Bonde (Greens) tells, now the official laboratory in Freiburg has again discovered increased levels in children's and baby shoes. „Out of a total of 23 pairs of children's and baby shoes examined, six pairs were criticized for exceeding the chromate limit. Only half of the products were free of chromate. "

Products apparently not manufactured according to the current state of the art
According to Bonde, the verified levels of chromate on leather goods would indicate that the products were not manufactured according to the current state of the art. Incomprehensible, because „The research results of recent years show that it is possible to produce consistently flawless goods - to this claim, the manufacturers have to be measured today“, the minister continued. Accordingly, for precautionary reasons, a reduction of the residues is absolutely necessary, but at least the producers would have to comply with the legal limits, demands Bonde.

„Jacob's - the baby fashion manufactory“ takes babyshoes off the market
Specifically, the EU rapid alert system Rapex had found in addition to shoes from China, Taiwan, Italy or Spain too high in shoes produced in this country too high. In one case, according to information from the Stuttgart Ministry of Consumer Protection, the company had Rehau „Jacob's - the baby fashion manufactory“ your „Baby shoes pink“, „Baby shoes creme“ and „Baby shoes black“ taken from the market and also asked to return the items. In these was according to the company „despite all quality assurance measures [...] chromium VI in significant quantities“ been proven, „so that the articles used pose a serious health risk“, so the message of the baby-fashion manufactory. Also in the „Bioline kids mules“ (Article number 19263 in white) of the Reno shoe GmbH was „despite extensive tests [.] in a subsequent examination, a burden of chromate“ been determined, as the company itself communicated. Again, the article was finally recalled in the context of preventive consumer protection.

Chromate neither recognizable by appearance nor smell
Consumers can recognize neither the appearance nor the smell of chromate, nor can the origin and price of the products help - as exemplified by the company's handmade baby shoes „Jacob's“ becomes clear. Accordingly, according to Bonde, official surveillance would continue to maintain pressure, and checks would be stepped up until there was a clear improvement in the situation, according to the ministry's statement. „The economy is responsible for ensuring that leather goods such as shoes are safe and comply with all legal requirements. [...] I expect the industry to comply with their duty of care and to ensure that only flawless leather goods are sold through effective self-monitoring“, Consumer Minister Alexander Bonde said on Sunday in Stuttgart. (No)

Image: miraliki