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[HEALTH] · Czechia, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia · 4 sources

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Part of situation: European chemical safety and bisphenol regulation (2 clusters)

European consumer tests reveal hazardous chemicals in everyday products

bisphenols phthalates consumer safety microplastics chemical exposure

Consumer testing across several European countries has revealed the presence of hazardous chemicals in common everyday products. Under the LIFE ToxFree project, consumer organizations from Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia tested various items, finding bisphenols in 55 out of 166 underwear samples and in 60 percent of children's UV-protection t-shirts.

Testing of 81 pairs of headphones showed that every single sample contained at least one substance of concern, including phthalates and bisphenols. Furthermore, 35 percent of the tested UV-protection t-shirts failed to meet their declared protection levels, violating EU standards for personal protective equipment.

In the Czech Republic, a separate test by dTest found that seven out of 18 popular sports t-shirts contained at least one monitored bisphenol. The study also noted significant variations in microplastic release during washing, with the difference between the best and worst performers being nearly tenfold. Researchers noted that women and children may be at higher risk due to the frequent use of synthetic materials in these product categories.

Entities

Consumer Association of Slovenia · Jožef Stefan Institute · LIFE ToxFree · dTest

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] All 81 tested headphones contained problematic substances, including phthalates and bisphenols. siol.net · slovenskenovice.delo.si
  • [● 2 SOURCES] 35 percent of tested UV protection t-shirts failed to meet declared UV protection levels, violating EU legislation. siol.net · slovenskenovice.delo.si
  • [● 2 SOURCES] At least one bisphenol was found in 55 out of 166 underwear samples tested. siol.net · slovenskenovice.delo.si
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Bisphenols were found in 60 percent of tested children's UV protection t-shirts. siol.net · slovenskenovice.delo.si
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Seven out of 18 popular sports t-shirts in the Czech Republic contained at least one monitored bisphenol. www.penize.cz
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Microplastic release during washing varied nearly tenfold between the best and worst performing synthetic t-shirts. www.penize.cz

Sources

Nevarne kemikalije v perilu, slušalkah, kozmetiki in otroških majicah - Velenjčan [www.velenjcan.si]
Sportovní trička pod lupou. Test odhalil bisfenoly i uvolňování mikroplastů [www.penize.cz]
Te nevarne izdelke na sebi nosimo vsak dan [siol.net]
Alarmantni testi: nevarne kemikalije našli v vsakem tretjem kosu perila in vseh slušalkah [slovenskenovice.delo.si]