"Don't Wipe Your Mouth with Decorative Napkins at Year-End Parties"... Harmful Substances Detected in 45 out of 84 Samples

[Financial News] As year-end gatherings and Christmas parties become more frequent, small amounts of harmful substances such as formaldehyde have been detected in decorative napkins commonly used for decoration.
The Seoul Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 8th the results of its inspection of 21 disposable paper napkins and 84 decorative napkins with colorful designs and patterns. The institute tested for formaldehyde, optical brightening agent (OBA), and benzophenone.
The products tested were those sold on online platforms, traditional markets, and small household goods stores. All disposable paper napkins, classified as sanitary products, were domestically produced, while all decorative napkins, classified as general merchandise, were imported.
According to the institute’s findings, only the decorative napkins contained harmful substances. Out of 84 samples, formaldehyde was detected in 8, OBA in 14, and benzophenone in 23. None of the disposable paper napkins tested positive for any of these substances.
The institute advised that decorative napkins should not be used to wipe the mouth or hands, nor should they come into direct contact with food.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter