SON Warns Against Importation Of Cancer- Causing School Uniforms

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has called on people to beware of some cancer-causing substances present in some school uniform materials allegedly made by two China-based companies.

The Special Assistant and Head of Public Relations to the Director General of SON, Bola Fashina, also warned that school uniform materials importers should be seriously warned.

He alleged that the cancer causing uniforms, are made by two China based companies, Sing Shun Fat School-Clothier Company and Zenith Uniform Company.

The statement signed by Fashina, disclosed that the azo dyes which were found in some school uniforms in Hong Kong contained up to 173 milligrams and 41 milligrams per kilogram of the tested samples respectively, which were well above the maximum allowed in the standard.

“Use of the 4-amino azo dye have been banned in Europe, Japan and other parts of the World prior to the finding.’’

Fashina explained that carcinogenic substances known as aromatic aminesazo are released from dyes when they mix with sweat. This has led to the ban of the use of dye in many countries of the world.

The SON Chief Executive, Mr. Osita Aboloma, has advised importers of school uniform materials in Nigeria to endeavour to undergo the process of conformity assessment of such materials prior to import.

Such verification, he said, should be made through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria off-shore conformity assessment programme (SONCAP), in order to avoid bringing them to the country.

He further advised Nigerians to report any suspected uniform materials that may already be in the country to SON for necessary, sampling, laboratory tests and analysis to be carried out at its Textile and Leather Laboratory in Kaduna for necessary regulatory action.

“All international accredited firms (IAFs) undertaking the off-shore conformity assessment programme on behalf of the SON all over the world have been put on alert regarding the cancer-causing substance in school uniform materials and other clothing materials to be imported into Nigeria.’’