Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen by a number of authoritative institutions. Inhalation of formaldehyde can cause respiratory tract cancer in humans and animals, and over inhalation can even result in death. Formaldehyde is a substance that is irritable to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract and is mainly used in the production of resins, paper and in textile processing industries. Many countries restrict the use of formaldehyde in manufacturing and in the toy industry through legislation, e.g. USA, Europe, Japan, China and so on.
EN71 Part 9: Organic chemical
compounds – Requirements for formaldehyde:
| Scope |
Toys for children under 3 years of age
(mg/kg) |
| Accessible Textiles |
30 |
| Accessible Paper |
30 |
| Accessible Resin-bonded Wood |
80 |
China’s mandatory testing standard, GB18401-2010 “National General Safety Technical Code for Textile Products” has clear limits for the formaldehyde content in textiles.
| Scope |
Formaldehyde Limit
(mg/kg) |
| Textile Products for infants under 3 years old |
20 |
| Textile Products with direct contact to skin |
75 |
| Textile Products without direct contact to skin |
300 |
LEO-MTS Chemical Laboratory completed research on this project and participated in the national Formaldehyde Proficiency testing P00012-2011-T01 program, which works to determine Free and Hydrolyzed Formaldehyde in Textiles. This testing program is implemented by the Beijing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center, who is a proficiency testing provider (PTP, PT0012). The testing project determines Free and Hydrolyzed Formaldehyde in textiles based on the standard in ISO14184.1-1998, GB/T2912.1-2009 by using water extraction methods.
A total of 124 laboratories enrolled in the program and a z-score was assigned to all participants as a numerical indicator to assess individual participant’s performance in the program. LEO-MTS laboratory, whose lab code was BM-085, participated in the testing program and received a
satisfactory result. Please see below:
| Tested Sample |
Tested Item |
Result of our Lab
(mg/kg) |
Specified value
(mg/kg) |
Z-score |
Performance |
| Textile |
Hydrolysis of free formaldehyde |
140 |
143.5 |
-0.5 |
Satisfactory |
Note: Z-score are commonly interpreted as follows:
(a) |Z| ≦ 2 indicates “Satisfactory” performance and generates no signal
(b) |Z ≧2 |<3 indicates “Questionable” performance and generates an warning signal
(c) |Z| ≧ 3 indicates “Unsatisfactory” performance and generates an action signal
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