How your clothing options could affect your health: Toxic Truth of Fast Fashion

We all love to find the perfect attire at super cheap prices after all, who does not want to look elegant without breaking the bank? Move through the endless fashion steps on social networks, it is easy to be tempted with fashion clothes. The attractiveness of fast fashion is undeniable, it is affordable, elegant and delivered directly to its door. Before pressing ‘Buy now’, read the following to make sure he is really aware of what enters his shopping cart.

According to a report by the AFP of May 2024 and the Insider Business Insider report of August 2024, the investigations of South Korean officials, as well as the authorities in Canada and the European Union, have revealed alarming levels of toxic substances in products in products of Fast fashion. Tests carried out in 144 products of Shein, Temuand Aliexpress discovered that approximately 15% contained hazardous chemicals at levels that exceeded legal limits. The shoes, bags and accessories were among the worst criminals, with some articles containing toxins hundreds of times higher than the allowed levels.
Many hazardous chemicals were found

Fthalates: hormonal disruptors in their shoes
One of the most shocking findings was the presence of phthalates, a chemist used to make plastics more flexible. It was discovered that some Shein shoes contained 229 times the legal limit of these substances. Fthalates have been linked to serious health problems, including hormonal imbalances, infertility, obesity and even certain cancers. Prolonged exposure can affect reproductive health, which leads to a decrease in sperm count and possible fertility problems.
Formaldehyde: a hidden threat in hats and accessories
It was discovered that Shein’s hats had twice the legally allowed formaldehyde, a chemist commonly used to avoid wrinkles in fabrics. However, formaldehyde is also a known carcinogen and can trigger skin irritation, allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Regular contact with clothes contained in this chemist can lead to chronic health problems.
Lead: a silent poison in your sandals
The Temu sandals had 11 times the allowed lead level. Lead exposure is especially harmful to children and can lead to delays in development, damage to organs and neurological deterioration. Even for adults, excessive lead exposure can cause brain damage and other serious health problems.
How these chemicals affect your health: The chemicals found in fast fashion items are not only present in small quantities. They are absorbed through the skin and even inhale over time, increasing the risk of long -term health effects. Some of the most serious consequences include:

What did companies say?
Both Shein and Temu claim to take product safety seriously. Shein’s representative told AFP that the company “takes the security of products very seriously” and insists that their suppliers adhere to controls and standards. They also said that they carry out third -party tests and take products from their website when they find out any claim.
A Temu spokesman told Business Insider that upon receiving a warning from the Government of the city of Seoul, “they immediately initiated an internal investigation” and quickly eliminated the products listings of their global market.
What can you do to protect yourself?
There are steps that you can take to minimize your exposure to these harmful chemicals:

The shocking truth about toxic chemicals in cheap clothing shows that the price it pays is not only in money, it could be your well -being. Remember, an elegant outfit should not have cost of your health.