Hazardous substance found in shoes for Australian children

A toxic chemical that has been banned in Europe since 2009 has reportedly been discovered in children's school footwear on sale in Australia. Dimethylfumarate (DMFU) is used as an anti-mould agent and has been identified as possibly causing skin contact dermatitis. However, at the time this issue of SATRA Bulletin went to press, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) had received no reports of injuries consistent with exposure to the substance. There is currently no restriction on importing DMFU into Australia, although shoes containing DMFU have been recalled in a number of European countries.

According to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) found the chemical in 25 per cent of the shoes it analysed. In a recent press statement, the ACCC said that it takes allegations of unsafe products seriously and in 2011 approached the TFIA to work on a proactive testing programme. Suppliers are required by Australian law to report any serious injuries associated with their products.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 2 of the July/August 2012 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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