New Zealand investigates Chinese "chemical clothes"

WELLINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) The New Zealand government said today it was investigating the safety of imported clothing from China and other countries following concerns that it contained dangerous levels of chemicals.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs said the investigation had been launched after a local television programme found woollen and cotton fabrics imported from China contained levels of formaldehyde up to 900 times the safety limit set by the World Health Organisation.

''We are very concerned about this issue and if action needs to taken, we will act very quickly,'' said the ministry's general manager Elizabeth MacPherson.

Formaldehyde, used by some clothing manufacturers to prevent mildew, can cause skin irritations, respiratory problems and even cancer if exposed to high levels of the chemical.

In a separate incident, the Commerce Commission is looking into the safety of Chinese-made pyjamas after two boys suffered minor burns when their garments caught fire.

The Warehouse Group, the country's largest retailer, said it had withdrawn the pyjamas from its stores until the test results were revealed later in the week.

The moves comes after a series of scandals over the safety of Chinese-made products from toys to toothpaste.

Mattel Inc, the world's largest toy maker, last week recalled millions of toys made in China due to lead paint and hazards from small powerful magnets that can be swallowed and cause injury.

Chinese officials have said the world should have faith in the ''made-in-China'' label and that a spate of product recalls has been unfair, biased and politically motivated.

REUTERS SV RAI0943