Thread Rod Hebei Qianmu Fastener Manufacturing Co., Ltd , https://www.qmjgjfasteners.com
There are children at home, and parents always want to provide them with the best. Many families believe that giving their kids a separate room is essential. Parents often invest time and money into designing these spaces, selecting colorful and attractive furniture that makes both the kids and the adults happy. However, some of this children's furniture can pose unexpected dangers.
The children's furniture market has become a significant part of the industry, aiming to minimize harmful substance emissions and eliminate potential health risks for children. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 60,000 registered furniture factories across the country, along with numerous small workshops that operate behind the scenes. This has led to a mixed quality of products in the market. A manufacturer selling children's furniture for kindergartens claims to have strong technical support and global exports, but when questioned about product safety, the company representative was dismissive, stating that such reports were unnecessary.
During an investigation, I visited a furniture factory located in a courtyard on the outskirts of Beijing. Inside, there were warehouses filled with game equipment and children’s furniture. When I requested to see the quality test report for a child's bed, the factory manager remained calm and claimed that no such documentation was required. The production process appeared environmentally questionable, yet the furniture was being sold as high-end products.
Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen recognized by the World Health Organization, is one of the key concerns in environmental standards. Long-term exposure to excessive formaldehyde can lead to serious health issues, including nasopharyngeal cancer, sinus cancer, and leukemia. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller bodies and developing systems. In one case, a three-and-a-half-year-old girl named Pan Jingxin was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her family believes her illness is linked to poor indoor air quality, which was later found to contain formaldehyde levels 2.8 times higher than the safe limit.
Despite regulations and new national standards aimed at improving safety, many consumers still struggle to identify whether their furniture meets environmental requirements. Testing usually requires damaging the product, which deters most people from doing so. This loophole allows unscrupulous manufacturers to take advantage.
In addition to chemical hazards, sharp corners on children’s furniture also pose physical risks. New regulations require rounded edges and smooth surfaces, but not all manufacturers comply. During a visit to a large furniture store in Beijing, while many brands had properly rounded corners, others still sold products with dangerous right angles. Sales staff claimed they were clearing inventory or that their machines couldn't make changes. In another store, the salesperson insisted that the design was acceptable and had been sold for years without issues.
Children's furniture must meet specific safety standards, such as ensuring proper ventilation in closed cabinets to prevent suffocation. However, enforcement of these rules remains inconsistent. Unqualified products may look appealing, but they carry hidden dangers that can harm children and families. Although the new national standards have been in place for some time, violations continue to occur. To ensure compliance, stricter inspections and harsher penalties for violators are necessary. Only then can real progress be made toward safer living environments for children.