- Read the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation's report entitled: "Chemicals - up close. Plastic shoes from all over the world". Click here to download full document
High levels of toxic chemicals have been found in the shoes of well-known South African retailers, raising concern about the health hazards contained in these "throwaway items" the world over.
In a study released last week, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) found high levels of a toxic chemical known as diethyl-hexyl phthalate (DEHP) in 17 out of 27 pairs of shoes manufactured in various countries including India, Indonesia, Tanzania, The Philippines, Sweden and South Africa.
The chemical can cause cancer, severe damage to a developing foetus and the central nervous system.
Following an analysis for different types of harmful chemicals, a pair of sandals from Woolworths (imported from Brazil) was found to contain the highest concentration of DEHP of all the shoes in the global sample, with the substance constituting 23 percent of the total weight of the shoe.
Four pairs of shoes bought at Woolworths, Pep, The Hub and Selfast were shipped to Sweden for testing.
Rico Euripidou, a public health scientist affiliated to the SSNC's local research partner, groundWork, said the Selfast children's shoe tested positive for arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury.
The inner sole of the Pep shoe tested positive for DEHP as well as cadmium and chromium, while all four pairs of shoes contained lead.
According to Euripidou, DEHP is a plastic softener which facilitates the "soft feel" of plastics in shoes. "This is a reproductive toxin and endocrine disruptor," he said.
The SNNC's report states that many of the chemicals can cause severe damage to health.
Euripidou said the results showed that there were too few controls in South Africa and globally to protect the consumer.
"Alarmingly, these shoes are affordable to all South Africans and it is critical for the government and retail outlets to start a process of evaluating and monitoring their products in order to phase out the toxins."
At the time of going to press, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was drafting a response about the apparent lack of regulatory oversight and the fact that these shoes had likely not been tested for chemicals before they hit the shelves.
Woolworths divisional director of clothing Brett Kaplan said all products must comply with the group's stringent safety and quality standards. Woolworths would investigate and take appropriate action.
The Pep group said it had not seen the report but would investigate thoroughly and take action if needed.
Dave Smith, the managing executive of The Hub Trading Company, said he took up the matter with Reebok, the sandal's manufacturers.
Junaid Mahomedy, the owner of Selfast, said he was investigating the matter and tracing the chemicals. "As far as I know there are no regulations in this regard," he said.