Children’s mermaid costume sold on Amazon recalled for containing toxic chemical

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A children’s mermaid costume has been recalled for containing a prohibited chemical that’s known to cause “adverse health effects” if ingested, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned.

SKCAIHT Children’s Little Mermaid Costumes have been recalled for containing a chemical known... — SKCAIHT Children’s Little Mermaid Costumes have been recalled for containing a chemical known to be toxic and causing adverse health effects.(Consumer Product Safety Commission)

SKCAIHT Children’s Little Mermaid Costumes come with a purple and pink glittery dress and a matching headband, and are sold on Amazon.

No incidents or injuries have been reported, but the CPSC warned in its recall that the product contains a prohibited phthalate, a chemical often used to make plastics softer. According to the CPSC, children’s toys and products are not permitted to contain more than 0.1% of certain phthalates.

A 2021 peer-reviewed study published in the journal Healthcare found that the chemicals “demonstrate to be endocrine disruptors and are detrimental to human health.”

“Despite the short half-lives in tissues, chronic exposure to phthalates will adversely influence the endocrine system and functioning of multiple organs, which has negative long-term impacts on the success of pregnancy, child growth and development, and reproductive systems in both young children and adolescents,” the study says, adding that “children are at a higher level of exposure and more vulnerable to phthalates.”

Consumers have been advised to immediately stop using the costumes and “take them away from children.” The CPSC also advises that those who have purchased the costumes contact the company that sold them directly for a full refund.

Consumers can contact SKCAIHT by email at pafiney@outlook.com.