Although 'tis the season to be jolly, the Consumer's Foundation is reminding the public to just say "no, no, no" to inadequately labeled and possibly dangerous seasonal merchandise.
The foundation says that thirteen Christmas hats, stockings and textile ornaments available on the market tested positive for chemicals containing phosphorus used to make the white textile items look whiter.
Under an ultraviolet lamp, these items glowed in the dark. Although such chemicals are sometimes ingredients in laundry detergents, the consumer foundation said that they can cause skin irritation and possibly be carcinogenic.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMESN
"In one third of the cases," said the foundation's vice president Cheng Jen-hung (
The group's deputy secretary-general Yu Kai-hsiung (游開雄) reminded festive decorators of the risks of snow-in-a-can.
"Say you are decorating your Christmas tree with artificial snow while smoking at the same time," Yu said. "That could be a especially dangerous."
Yu criticized the lack of warnings and instructions on the spray flocking products, which contain flammable gasses.
Since a lot of Christmas-themed merchandise is intended for use by children, the foundation paid special attention to insecurely attached accessories such as bells.
Of the eight items the foundation subjected to a pulling test, seven were found to shed small parts that could present a swallowing risk to small children.
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