To date, Dr Tang’s department has not encountered cases associated with contaminated fashion products, he said.
Here’s a closer look at why these chemicals are used in the first place and what they can do to you:
1. PHTHALATES
Uses: These colourless, odourless and oily liquids function as plasticisers, meaning they make plastic such as polyvinyl chloride soft and pliable before it is applied to fabrics to make them waterproof or stain resistant.
Phthalates are also used in the manufacturing of shoes, said Assistant Professor Seow Wei Jie from NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, to “enhance the softness and elasticity of the shoe materials, making them more comfortable to wear and better able to withstand wear and tear”.
Health effects: “Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems,” said Navin Kumar Verma, an associate professor of immunology and cell biology from Nanyang Technological University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.
“Certain phthalates such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP have been classified as possible human carcinogens by the International Agency For Research On Cancer (IARC). Long-term exposure could potentially increase the risk of cancers, particularly in organs that are involved in hormone regulation,” he said.
Assoc Prof Verma added: “Pregnant women exposed to phthalates may face risks of birth defects and developmental issues in their offspring.” On skin, phthalates can lead to contact dermatitis or allergic reactions that can give rise to rashes, blisters or hives.
2. FORMALDEHYDE
Uses: This colourless gas is used to create wrinkle-resistant, durable and shrink-proof textiles. “In caps, formaldehyde is primarily used as part of the finishing process to make them durable, wrinkle-resistant, water-repellent, and maintain its shape and structure,” said Asst Prof Seow.
Health effects: With prolonged or repeated exposure, said Assoc Prof Verma, formaldehyde is a skin and respiratory irritant that can cause “irritation of the nose, throat and lungs resulting in coughing, wheezing, sore throat and shortness of breath, particularly in individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma”.
As with phthalates, formaldehyde is also classified as a human carcinogen by the IARC. “Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde, particularly through inhalation, has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia,” he said. This is especially so for workers in industrial settings but “long-term exposure from consumer goods may also contribute” to the risk, he cautioned.
