Replica shirts may be toxic, warns watchdog

Some of the top players at Euro 2012 will be wearing shirts with dangerous levels of chemicals, and similar kits will be on sale to the public, an EU body has warned.

The shirts of co-hosts Poland contains an organotin compound, used to prevent sweat odour, in higher doses than the legal limit. The chemical is a poison that can affect the nervous system.

Spanish and Italian shirts, meanwhile, were found to contain the chemical nonylphenol, which can disrupt the endocrine system, and is banned from waste water because of its harmful effect on the environment.

The lead levels in Spanish and German shirts were found to exceed the levels recommended as safe for children and products used by them.

The shirts worn by the Portuguese and Dutch players contain nickel, to which many people are allergic.

EU-wide consumers organisation BEUC wants the shirts banned, and Fine Gael MEP and former GAA president Sean Kelly says the manufacturers should change them immediately.

The head of BEUC, Monique Goyens, said fans could pay up to €90 for shirts, and the least they should expect is that they are safe. She said it proved that the current legislation, known as Reach, was not fit for purpose, especially to evaluate the dangerous cocktail effect of chemicals in kits.

“It is inexplicable that heavy metals are used in mass consumer products,” said Ms Goyens.

“It is clearly foul play by manufacturers to use substances harmful to both people and the environment.”

Mr Kelly said the sports clothing manufacturers must take decisive action to reduce the presence of these harmful substances in their sports gear.

“It is not fair on parents and children to expose them to this threat.”

He urged manufacturers and the European Commission to take urgent action to reduce the threat of harmful exposure to dangerous chemicals in sportswear.

BEUC said sportswear should be washed before wearing. If the wearer suffers irritation they should remove the garment and, if necessary, see their doctor. Governments, which are responsible for enforcing the Reach legislation, must take more action, it said.