Illegal lead levels found in kids fast fashion

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Study carried out by a US university tested a range of infantwear and found that all items contained traces of lead above US federal limits

ATLANTA – New research has found that several children’s shirts sold by fast fashion and discount retailers contained levels of lead far above limits permitted under US federal regulations.

The study, presented this week at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2026 meeting, also estimates that even briefly chewing such fabrics – which young children tend to do – could expose them to dangerous lead levels.

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