Opinion | 26,000 school uniforms recalled after tests show some contain toxic materials

The recall came after 50 school uniforms from the same manufacturer were found to contain aromatic amine after an examination conducted by Shanghai’s quality supervision bureau.

Aromatic amine, which was discovered in dyes used in the uniforms, can cause cancer and do people irreversible damage, Xinhua said, quoting the Shanghai government.

The toxic uniforms were manufactured by Ou’xia Clothing, a garment maker in Shanghai’s Pudong area. The uniforms have failed inspections three times in the last four years, the bureau told Xinhua.

Because education authorities require that each school uniform must not cost more than 250 yuan, most large garment manufacturers are not willing to make them. Consequently, the job is left to smaller factories which often fail to meet quality standards, experts say.

Meanwhile, the bureau has ordered the company to halt production and investigate. Details of the latest tests will be announced shortly.