Dangerous levels of Barium during hot water bottles inspection

On the afternoon of 28 January 2016, Jiangsu Quality Supervision Bureau (China, Jiangsu Province) held a press conference to publicise the inspection results for rubber hot water bottles. The inspection proves a pass rate of 60.2% (53 batches are qualified among 88 batches of products). The major problem of unqualified rubber hot water bottles lies in the dangerous levels of Barium of coloured ones. In addition, tensile strength and elongation of some products fall short of the standard requirements.
 
The department also released “Risk Supervision and Quality Analysis Report” on the conference. The supervision focuses that on migration of eight heavy metals (Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Selenium) in BS 1970-2012 Safety Standard for Rubber and PVC Hot Water Bottles. The test shows the concentration of Barium of eight batches of products (9.1% of total inspected products) exceeds the limit (1,000mg/kg).
 
As introduced, Barium, as one of toxic elements, may lead to vomiting, angina, diarrhea and slow heartbeat. Long-term contact with Barium has adverse impact on intellectual and physical development. The researches and test find that Barium main results from added dyes and used inferior oil during manufacturing procedure of raw materials of rubber hot water bottles. Among the 57 batches products with dangerous levels of heavy metals, red and blue ones are in the majority (red: 24 batches, blue:19 batches). In comparison, the white products with no dyes seem to be safer.
 
Besides heavy metals, tensile strength is also a big problem that causing easy deformation and breakage of bags. The sampling test shows a pass rate of 60.2% among 88 batches. The least tensile strength is as low as 2MPa, far away from 11.2 MPa as stipulated. The product performance can be greatly affected with such a low value of tensile strength, in which case easy deformation and breakage of bags will occur when adding too much water in the hot water bags. Notably, tensile strength and elongation are mandatory indicators in HG/T 2011-2009.
 
C&K Testing advises companies should attach great importance to product testing to avoid economic loss or other punishments caused by non-compliance. Consumers had better buy hot water bags with due care in regular stores.

【中文版】