Safety experts in the U.S., concerned about the growing number of Chinese imports recalled for safety reasons, are closely watching the situation in New Zealand, where suspicion has now been cast upon Chinese-made pajamas.
The government of New Zealand has launched an investigation after a TV program aired charges that pajamas made in China contained formaldehyde at a rate of 900 times the levels considered safe.
Small amounts of formaldehyde are often applied to textiles to prevent mildew. Too much, however, can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions.
The New Zealand probe appeared to be the last straw for Chinese officials, who have expressed anger and frustration as a wide variety of their exports have been recalled, or criticized over safety issues.
Li Changjiang, head of Chinas safety watchdog, claimed the product safety scares were a new trend of trade protectionism, and accused some governments of demonizing Chinas products.
Chinese officials may be concerned that the snowballing safety scandal could begin to inflict real economic pain if textiles are found to be unsafe. The garment industry amounts for up to 13 percent of Chinese exports, according to economists.
