A recent study by the Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals found illegal levels of harmful substances in 9 out of 16 pairs of shoes tested.

The Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals tested 16 pairs of shoes for a range of harmful chemicals. 11 were purchased from online platforms such as AliExpress, Shein and Temu, which are based outside the EU. The remaining five were purchased from brands on the Danish Market, like H&M and Zara.

All nine of the shoes containing illegal levels of harmful substances belonged to the group of 11 purchased outside the EU. The chemicals found included phthalates and heavy metals, such as lead. The Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals gave these products a ‘C’ rating, which is their worst rating. One pair of shoes purchased from the Danish market contained PFAS, which are still legal for use, but it was given a ‘C’ rating because of this.

The Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals said that the level of illegal phthalates found in some of the shoes exceeded the legal limit of 0.1%, including one pair from Temu that had levels of up to 17%. 

Phthalates are a group of chemicals often added to plastics to increase their flexibility and durability and can be found in many consumer products. Some phthalates are problematic for human health and are classified as toxic for reproduction or as having endocrine-disrupting properties.

There was no apparent link between the style of the shoes and the presence of harmful chemicals. The harmful substances were detected in Cowboy boots and sandals alike and were mainly found in the soles of the shoes.

When buying products online, make sure to buy from reputable stores from EU countries, and look for positive labelling such as the EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel, and Nordic Swan. For more information on reducing your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals in clothing, see our webpage.

CHEM Trust supports ongoing efforts to ensure the most hazardous chemicals are not used in consumer products.

Read more about phthalates and how to manage your risk of exposure here.

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