By Woo Hae-chung
Baby wipes are igniting health concerns among consumers due to reports they contain high levels of toxic substances.
But the authorities have not made it clear as to whether the reported level of the chemical compound, cetrimonium bromide, is harmful or not.
The substance ― used as a preservative in the wipes ― can allegedly affect the central nervous system and even cause respiratory disease when used at concentrations above 0.1 percent.
Mondoudou and Suomi, the nation's two biggest suppliers of wipes, and 40 smaller companies were reported to be selling products with dangerous levels of the chemical.
However, little is known about the exact percentage of cetrimonium bromide contained in each product.
From combating infectious disease to cleaning baby bottoms, sanitizer wet tissues have been widely used for convenience. Among the main users of the products are parents who have a child with a weak immune system.
Following the dispute about the hazardous effects of cetrimonium bromide in baby wipes, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy released a statement on Sept. 2, but failed to clear all suspicions.
"A research team is now set to embark on an investigation into the product. So far, baby wipes have been categorized as industrial products not cosmetics, which enables them to have any chemical compounds without strict regulation," it said.
Consumers are left in confusion not knowing whether to use the wipes or not.
Kang Hye-jin, the mother of a 9-month-old boy, said, "I thought using the sanitizer wet tissues could help decrease the risk of infection. That's why I used to wipe the face and hands of my son with it, but I can't do this anymore after hearing about the toxic substance."
To avoid any potential danger in the future, Kim started using a wet reusable towel instead of disposable one.
"I cannot wait until the government finishes scrutiny; as for my family, it's the most urgent thing," she said.
A researcher from the ministry's Consumer Product Safety Division, Kwon Eun-sook, said, "Every chemical compound can have a harmful effect on the human body, but what matters is the concentration of the chemical in a given product."
Regarding the substance in baby wipes, Kwon said, "The wet wipes will be reclassified as cosmetics to tighten up its regulation."
He said it is uncertain when the ongoing inspection of the products will be concluded.
In an attempt to appease public concerns, Mondoudou issued a statement to prove that its products are safe.
"Our wipes have already gone through important safety tests required of baby products, and have even proven to be safe enough to ingest," it said.
Despite companies' efforts to relieve the public, they are now struggling with falling sales.
The writer is an intern for The Korea Times.
Baby wipes are igniting health concerns among consumers due to reports they contain high levels of toxic substances.
But the authorities have not made it clear as to whether the reported level of the chemical compound, cetrimonium bromide, is harmful or not.
The substance ― used as a preservative in the wipes ― can allegedly affect the central nervous system and even cause respiratory disease when used at concentrations above 0.1 percent.
Mondoudou and Suomi, the nation's two biggest suppliers of wipes, and 40 smaller companies were reported to be selling products with dangerous levels of the chemical.
However, little is known about the exact percentage of cetrimonium bromide contained in each product.
From combating infectious disease to cleaning baby bottoms, sanitizer wet tissues have been widely used for convenience. Among the main users of the products are parents who have a child with a weak immune system.
Following the dispute about the hazardous effects of cetrimonium bromide in baby wipes, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy released a statement on Sept. 2, but failed to clear all suspicions.
"A research team is now set to embark on an investigation into the product. So far, baby wipes have been categorized as industrial products not cosmetics, which enables them to have any chemical compounds without strict regulation," it said.
Consumers are left in confusion not knowing whether to use the wipes or not.
Kang Hye-jin, the mother of a 9-month-old boy, said, "I thought using the sanitizer wet tissues could help decrease the risk of infection. That's why I used to wipe the face and hands of my son with it, but I can't do this anymore after hearing about the toxic substance."
To avoid any potential danger in the future, Kim started using a wet reusable towel instead of disposable one.
"I cannot wait until the government finishes scrutiny; as for my family, it's the most urgent thing," she said.
A researcher from the ministry's Consumer Product Safety Division, Kwon Eun-sook, said, "Every chemical compound can have a harmful effect on the human body, but what matters is the concentration of the chemical in a given product."
Regarding the substance in baby wipes, Kwon said, "The wet wipes will be reclassified as cosmetics to tighten up its regulation."
He said it is uncertain when the ongoing inspection of the products will be concluded.
In an attempt to appease public concerns, Mondoudou issued a statement to prove that its products are safe.
"Our wipes have already gone through important safety tests required of baby products, and have even proven to be safe enough to ingest," it said.
Despite companies' efforts to relieve the public, they are now struggling with falling sales.
The writer is an intern for The Korea Times.
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