An Australian mother has issued an urgent warning about a Kmart product that is usually aimed at children.
Kmart’s thermal printing camera is suitable for children aged eight and up, but one mum claims the “super cute” cameras use thermal printing paper laden with BPA (bisphenol A).
BPA, a chemical intended to toughen plastics and prevent food contamination, among other uses, has also been linked to increased risks of obesity, asthma, diabetes and heart disease over more than two decades of increasing scrutiny of the compound.
“This is really important, I can’t hold back any longer: Parents, please don’t buy this for your kids, this is really bad news,” the mother said in a viral TikTok video.
A recent, groundbreaking study in Australia has linked an increased risk of autism in children with high levels of BPA in the womb.
The research, led by a team of Australian scientists from the Florey Institute at the University of Melbourne, found that if the chemical was detected in a pregnant mother’s urine, it tripled the chances of a toddler developing autism symptoms by age two.
Kmart Australia strongly denies any “danger” and insists all Kmart products comply with Australian regulations.
“Ensuring the products we sell are safe for our customers is our priority and we have processes in place to meet the regulatory and safety standards required by Australian legislation,” a Kmart spokesperson told FEMAIL.
‘There is no BPA compliance issue regarding this product.’
BPA is not banned in Australia, but in 2010 the Australian Government announced a voluntary phase-out of the use of BPA in polycarbonate baby bottles.
According to Food Standards Australia, concerns have been raised for years that exposure to BPA can cause health problems.
“However, when food safety authorities around the world have reviewed BPA, they have generally concluded that there are no safety concerns at the levels to which people are exposed,” they said.
An Australian mother has warned Australian parents not to buy Kmart’s thermal printer camera for their children, citing “dangerously high” levels of BPA in the thermal paper.
Although the mother said the camera was “super cute,” she thought it was dangerous to let the children come into contact with it.
One woman who commented on the video said she was very aware of the BPA in the thermal printing paper and agreed that the camera was not safe.
“My mother bought one and I made her throw it away,” he said.
Others said it was not just thermal paper, but regular receipts too that were “coated” with the chemical.
“I don’t even let my daughter keep receipts. I know it sounds extreme, but they are so toxic,” said one mother.
“There is so much information on receipt paper and BPA is in ridiculous amounts. I also don’t let my kids have receipts,” said another.
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