Toxic chemicals tests on looms bands in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire's Trading Standards are testing batches of loom bands they believe may contain harmful levels of toxic chemicals. Whilst awaiting the results, they are warning parents to be careful when purchasing the bright coloured elastic bands and charms that have become popular with children all over the world. Thousands of children have become hooked on the loom band craze, making bracelets, necklaces and trinkets out of small coloured elastic bands, either using their fingers or a plastic loom to twist and link them together. Trading Standards have found that a number of bands and charms, particularly of cheap or low quality, that have been bought locally do not comply with the Toy Safety Regulations 2011, in terms of labelling and warnings. A number have been sent for chemical analysis, with particular concern that they may contain toxic levels of phthalates – a substance which is used to make plastic safer and pliable, but is strictly controlled as they can migrate from...