Alarmingly high levels of cancer-causing heavy metals have been detected in inexpensive jewelry sold on popular Chinese e-commerce platforms. (Image courtesy of the Incheon Central Customs Office)
INCHEON, Apr. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – Alarmingly high levels of cancer-causing heavy metals have been detected in inexpensive jewelry sold on popular Chinese e-commerce platforms, prompting South Korean customs officials to crack down on the hazardous imports.
The Incheon Central Customs Office announced on April 5 that tests on 404 jewelry items purchased from sites like AliExpress and Temu found 96 products, or nearly one-quarter, contained cadmium or lead exceeding domestic safety limits — in some cases by up to 700 times the acceptable level.
The tainted jewelry, with an average price tag of just 2,000 won including shipping, showed cadmium and lead concentrations ranging from 10 to 700 times South Korea’s regulatory thresholds. The toxic metals, classified as probable human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, can also trigger kidney, digestive and other disorders upon exposure.
Earrings represented the highest number of contaminated pieces at 47, followed by rings at 23, necklaces at 10 and anklets at 8. Nineteen other types of jewelry, from bracelets to hair accessories, also tested positive.
“We urge consumers to exercise extreme caution when purchasing jewelry from Chinese e-commerce platforms like AliExpress and Temu,” an official from the Incheon customs agency warned, adding that detailed product information is available on the organization’s website.
South Korean authorities plan to strengthen customs monitoring of the hazardous items identified and ask the e-commerce companies to halt sales of the contaminated jewelry lines. Domestic health regulators are also being consulted on additional safety measures.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
