Did You Wear Cancer-Causing Sandals This Summer? It Is About Time To Toss Those Crocs-Like Shoes

You may love them or you may hate them. But one thing that everyone agrees too is that you cannot remain indifferent to the crocs like sandals and shoes that have flooded the market ever since their launch in 2002.

While children love them for their bright and vibrant colors, adults love them for their comfort and easy maintenance. They also have their critiques in equal measure. Fashion police has always slammed them because of their casual look and loose fit. And yet, they continue to be as popular as ever.

But time and again, questions have been raised about its safety.

The report has again stoked a debate on whether one should continue to keep wearing the clogs for their comfort or should completely do away with them for our own good.

The research was carried out by WDR, Cologne based German Broadcaster Company, for its consumers. The company sent 10 pairs of plastic clogs, from reputed companies, to the laboratory for testing. The laboratory was asked to look for the presence of solvents, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the plastic material used for manufacturing the clogs.

PAHs are highly carcinogenic substances which if absorbed can cause mutations in the cells. They are often used as softeners during manufacturing of shoes in the footwear industry. PAHs are predominantly present in black colored plastics though they may be present in plastics of other colors too. They generally produce their ill-effects after inhalation but they are also prone to be absorbed through skin. The researchers were surprised to note that PAHs were present in six of the 10 samples tested. Their content was especially high in clogs which were black in color. It was even present in black straps and black buttons.

The heavy metals present in clogs, like chrome, lead and cadmium, are not absorbed through the skin. However, once the clogs are disposed, these heavy metals leak into the environment and poison it.

The solvents present in the footwear are absorbed through the skin. According to German authorities, solvents are classified as allergens and skin irritants. Ideally, they should completely degrade during the production process. However, because there are no set standards for the production processes, these solvents do not degrade completely and end up in the footwear.

Of the 10 pair of clogs tested, seven contained both heavy metals and solvents.

You cannot be assured of better quality even if you buy expensive models of clogs

The clogs that were tested included reputed brands like Crocs and Skechers. But even with these expensive models of clogs, one cannot be sure of the product quality. While Crocs shoes did not contain any PAHs, they did contain at least four allergic solvents. However, the company has made a statement saying that all their products comply with European legislation.

Similarly, Skechers shoes were also found to contain solvents, PAHs and heavy metals. But here again, the company officials have stated that their shoes meet the European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use (REACH).

The plastic industry has, on its own, set an upper limit of 10mg/kg in car tires. However, according to many health experts, a limit of 0.2mg/kg should be placed on PAHs in plastic products.

Various studies done on mice have shown that when mice are fed a diet containing 308 parts per million (ppm) of PAHs like benzo (a) pyrene for 10 days, their offspring develop multiple birth defects. When they are fed food containing 923 ppm of this PAH, they develop liver and blood abnormalities. Studies are yet to be carried out in humans to ascertain the abnormalities caused when they are exposure to different concentrations of PAHs.

Germany has started an initiative with the aim of getting poisonous chemicals banned throughout the European Union. The proposal is still under negotiations. The German Government that all PAHs should be classified as “especially worrying” in REACH, the EU chemical register. Once they come under the classification of “especially worrying”, the companies manufacturing plastic products would be forced to indicate the amount of PAHs present in their products.

Till the time such steps are taken, the consumers can rely on their nose to tell whether the plastic product they are buying contains harmful chemicals. Those plastic shoes which emit a characteristic sweet, pungent smell are high on PAHs and consumers should better avoid buying them.

Earlier, safety of EVA foam, commonly used for making play mats, toys and slipper, had been questioned as it was found to contain formamide. Formamide is a chemical substance which has been found to produce fetal abnormalities and embryonic death in experimental animals. It is suspected to be a carcinogen and can cause reproductive abnormalities in humans. EVA foams containing formamide were banned in Belgium and France and the EU took a tough stand against their use.

People have questioned the safety of Crocs shoes as it is made up of Croslite^TM, a foam resin containing EVA. The company has never clarified whether its products contain formamide.

These clogs have also been banned by some hospitals in Sheffield as it has been claimed that these shoes generate static electricity. Hospital staff wearing such shoes can damage vital electrical equipment used there, leading to their malfunctioning. Critiques of clogs have also pointed out the fact that they provide inadequate support to the foot arch and hence, are unsuitable for being worn for long hours. They are prone to slip when wet and bacteria harboring inside them can spread infections, especially in hospital settings. Clogs have also been incriminated for many accidents in children as they easily get trapped in escalators.

So, next time before you reach out for those fancy looking clogs, think twice- are they really worth it?