Carcinogenic substance detected at jeans of a Korean fashion brand

Carcinogenic substance arylamine was detected above standards at jeans made by Korea`s fashion brand Basic House. Italian jean brand Diesel`s jeans, which cost more than 300,000 won (282.89 U.S. dollars), were found to have high possibility of the color spreading to other clothes when the jeans are wet.

Consumer Union of Korea announced Monday the results of its survey on the quality and safety of 15 types (seven Korean brands and eight foreign brands) of men`s jeans for 12 brands currently selling in Korea. Survey items included hardness and solidness of dyeing against friction and washing, intensity of sealing, fiber blending, acidity and toxic substance.

According to the survey results, arylamine was detected three times (88.8mg per kg) the standard (below 30mg per kg) notified by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards at Basic House`s 59,000 won (55.63 dollars) men`s jeans (HNDP2121). Since arylamine, which is used in dyeing process, can cause cancer when exposed to skin, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards places it under safety supervision for clothing.

Basic House said, "We will carry out an experiment by another institution, and stop sales of the jeans in question and collect the entire quantity until the results are out."

Diesel`s jeans (WASH0885K_SHIONER) priced at 324,800 won (306.3 dollars) showed below standards (grade two or over) at grade one in hardness and solidness of dyeing against humidity and friction. Twelve among 15 jean types showed below standard grades, having possibility of its color spreading. Those in problem included Calvin Klein jeans (1311-00-32) priced at 228,000 won (215 dollars) and Guess jeans (MC3D1042) priced at 218,000 won (205.6 dollars).