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Tell Shein To Stop Making Dangerous, Poison-Laden Clothes

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Shein is putting your health at serious risk with toxic chemicals in their clothes. It's time to demand safer fashion before it's too late.

Shein is putting your health at serious risk with toxic chemicals in their clothes. It's time to demand safer fashion before it's too late.

Millions of people around the world buy fast fashion because it’s cheap, trendy, and easy to access. But what if the clothes you're wearing are filled with toxic chemicals? Brands like Shein and Temu have been found selling clothing that contains harmful substances such as phthalates, lead, and formaldehyde—some at levels hundreds of times over the legal limit. These chemicals pose real dangers to your health, especially for children1.

Alarming Levels of Toxic Chemicals

Recent investigations revealed that Shein shoes contained phthalates at 229 times the acceptable limit. Phthalates are linked to reproductive harm, including infertility and premature births2. Formaldehyde, another toxic substance used in textiles, was found in Shein hats at twice the legal threshold. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause cancer and lead to respiratory issues3.

Children’s shoes from Shein were even more alarming, with phthalates reaching 428 times the allowed limit1. Lead, which is known to cause developmental and cognitive damage in children, was also found in sandals sold by Temu at levels 11 times above the legal safety standard1.

The Health Risks You’re Facing

These toxic chemicals don't just stay in the clothes—they transfer to your skin and can enter your body. Exposure to high levels of phthalates, formaldehyde, and lead can lead to serious long-term health issues like cancer, infertility, hormone disruption, and cognitive damage in children4. The most vulnerable are the youngest consumers, who are still growing and developing. A child wearing shoes or clothes with these dangerous chemicals could face lifelong consequences2.

Consumers deserve to know what’s in their clothes, but these harmful substances are rarely disclosed. Fast fashion brands prioritize low costs and high production rates over customer safety, ignoring the dangerous effects of these chemicals on human health3.

Why We Must Act Now

We cannot allow fast fashion companies to continue endangering their customers with toxic clothing. Brands like Shein and Temu must be held accountable for their harmful practices. There are safer alternatives to these chemicals, and it’s time for Shein to make the switch. These toxic materials don’t belong in our closets or on our children’s skin.

The risks are too great to ignore. You have the power to help change this. By standing together, we can demand that Shein immediately stop using materials with dangerous chemicals and adopt transparent practices to protect consumers’ health.

Sign the Petition Today

No one should suffer health risks from the clothes they wear. Join us in calling for Shein to halt its use of toxic chemicals and prioritize safety. Your voice can make a difference. Sign the petition now and protect yourself, your family, and millions of others around the world.

More on this issue:

  1. Le Monde (14 August 2024), "Shein and Temu products found to contain high levels of toxic chemicals."
  2. Kimberly Drake, HealthNews (28 May 2024), "Toxic Chemicals Found in Children's Products Sold by Shein."
  3. Alden Wicker, The Guardian (3 July 2024), "Are your clothes making you sick? The opaque world of chemicals in fashion."
  4. Ellen O'Regan, The Brussels Times (23 May 2024), "Test Achats discovers harmful substances in children's clothes from Shein."
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The Petition:

To the CEO and Founder of Shein,

We, the undersigned, call on Shein to immediately halt the use of any materials containing toxic chemicals that pose a threat to customers, especially children. Recent investigations have revealed alarming levels of harmful substances, such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and lead, in your clothing and accessories. These chemicals are known to cause serious health risks, including cancer, reproductive harm, and developmental issues in children.

Your customers trust that the products they buy are safe to wear. However, these findings make it clear that safety is not being prioritized, leaving consumers vulnerable to dangerous, long-term health consequences. Children, who are especially susceptible to these toxins, should never be exposed to such risks from the clothes they wear every day.

We urge you to take swift action by:

  1. Immediately removing all products found to contain dangerous chemicals.

  2. Implementing strict safety standards across your supply chain to eliminate hazardous substances.

  3. Committing to transparency by publicly disclosing the materials used in your products.

These steps will not only protect your customers but will also demonstrate that Shein values health, safety, and corporate responsibility. By making these changes, you will ensure a safer, healthier future for millions of consumers worldwide and reinforce Shein’s reputation as a global leader in ethical fashion.

Together, we can build a future where affordable fashion no longer comes at the cost of human health.

Sincerely,

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Signatures: