Fears retailers are flouting regulations by selling imported bands with 500 TIMES the legal level of toxins
Hundreds of thousands of imported loom band products could contain cancer-causing chemicals, researchers have warned.
There are fears ruthless retailers could be flouting regulations after the British Assay Office, which tests for purity of products, found some loom band products contain 500 TIMES the legal level of toxins.
An Assay Office spokesman said: “It is the charms supplied with loom band making packs which we are finding in the majority of cases at the moment are failing.
“The latest loom bands craze in particular is throwing up some alarming results considering these products are so child appealing.”
The loom band craze has taken the UK by storm and several hundred can be bought for just a few pounds.
Tests show the levels of phthalates were 500 times the legal limit in some of the imported loom bands.
Phthalates are suspected carcinogens and could cause cancer.
An Assay Office spokesman said: “Phthalates can migrate from plastic into the body if they come into contact with saliva or sweat.
"The latest craze for loom bands has highlighted once again that an apparently harmless product may have long-term detrimental effects to health.”
The Chem Trust – which exists to help protect people and animals from dangerous chemicals – was worried by the research.
“It is clear that loom bands, or at least their charms, are breaching this regulation,” the Trust’s Dr Michael Warhurst said.
The Assay Office works with retailers and importers checking what is safe to sell.
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