Toys, towels and t-shirts made in China, found at sale for over five years on the Romanian market, are a true threat to the consumers' health, says Costel Stanciu, head of the Consumer Protection Agency (OPC).

According to the official, the products have a high level of formaldehyde, a carcinogen compound that may also cause serious problems to the skin, eyes and lungs of the consumer.

After New Zealand officials discovered large amounts of Chinese textiles containing formaldehyde, the European Union sounded the alarm and the Romanian authorities begun their verifications.

„These products were sold in Romania for more than five years. People should know how dangerous these chemicals - used for stabilizing paints - are. The products are easy to recognize, given their specific formol smell", says Stanciu.

According to the OPC chief, the substance affects the nervous system, may cause serious skin disease and is recognized by the World Health Organization as a carcinogen.

The National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) announced on Wednesday that it will launch a campaign aiming at verifying all Chinese products on the market.

Chinese textiles have a market share of over 50%.