More than one third of quick-drying clothes on the market contain excessive levels of metallic elements. That’s according to a spot-check conducted by the Chinese Taipei Consumers Foundation.
Quick-drying clothes are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. In a recent spot-check of 22 samples, however, eight were found to contain antimony, a heavy metal element that is carcinogenic, and could lead to increased risk of heart and lung disease.
The Chinese Taipei Consumers Foundation, the independent body that conducted the spot-check, said the government uses the same safety standards for toys when examining the quality of clothing, and therefore many harmful elements were never found. The foundation has also advised the public to thoroughly wash new clothes before wearing them.
Several big names in the industry are among the brands found with quality issues, including Adidas and Uniqlo. So far, none of the companies cited have responded to the findings.
