The E.U. has the best dye regulation. Called the "Dye Directive," it bans any colorant for use on products that have prolonged contact with the skin that degrades to release one or more of 22 known carcinogens, of which benzidine is one. So not only the benzidine dyes, but many other dyes are not allowed for use.
2. While the U.S. doesn't ban dyes proactively based on their structure as the Dye Directive does, clearly the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had to have data showing that free benzidine was available for skin absorption from the degradation (fading) of this dye. This means someone was testing imports. Will wonders never cease.
3. I think it is fair to say that there probably millions of plastic, leather and textile products sold in the U.S. today that are dyed with the benzidine dyes. This one product, for some unknown reason, was identified and recalled.
4. The Vegan wearable products are all made from synthetic materials which do not involve killing or abusing animals. But the Viet Nam workers using the benzidine dyes were clearly being abused. The long history of factory workers using these dyes shows high bladder cancer rates and other diseases.
Be kind to people, too.
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
181 Thompson St., #23
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Sat, Aug 26, 2017 2:41 pm
Subject: [DCHAS-L] CPSC: Dr. Martens Vegan Boots Recalled by Airwair Due to Chemical Exposure Hazard
Recall Number: 17-211
Dr. Martens Vegan Boots Recalled by Airwair Due to Chemical Exposure Hazard
Recall Summary
Name of Product: Dr. Martens Vegan boots
Hazard: Prolonged and direct contact with the boot tongue lining can expose the wearer to the chemical benzidine.
Remedy: Refund, Replace
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled boots and contact Dr. Martens for a full refund or free replacement product.
Consumer Contact: Dr. Martens at 800-460-3930 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email at
dmservice**At_Symbol_Here**drmartens.com, or online at
www.drmartens.com and click on "Product Recall" for more information.
Pictures available here:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/Dr-Martens-Vegan-Boots-Recalled-by-Airwair
Recall Details
Units:
About 30,000 (in addition, about 900 in Canada)
Description:
This recall involves Dr. Martens unisex Vegan 1460 eight eye boots sold in cherry red with black shoelaces in all sizes. The boots have a chunky sole and a golden heel pull tab with "AirWair" printed on it. "Made in Vietnam" and product code 14585 are printed on the tongue label with the batch code starting with "GV" and ending in Q, R or S.
Incidents/Injuries:
None reported
Sold at:
Dr. Martens, Journeys and independent stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, DrMartens.com, Shoebuy.com and other websites from January 2015 through July 2017 for about $125.
Importer(s):
Airwair, of Portland, Ore.
Manufactured In:
Vietnam
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