Hylea
Kids' Shoes
Footwear designed for children including sneakers, dress shoes, and casual shoes. Children's shoes require extra attention to chemical safety.
Why It Matters
Children are more vulnerable to chemical exposures. Kids often touch their shoes and then their mouths. Leather shoes may contain Chromium VI. Colored shoes may have restricted azo dyes. PAHs in rubber soles are carcinogenic.
Chemicals of Concern in This Product
Chromium VI (Hexavalent Chromium)
A highly toxic form of chromium that can form during leather tanning if the process is poorly...
Restricted Azo Dyes
A large class of synthetic dyes used extensively in textile and leather coloring. While most azo...
Lead
A toxic heavy metal that was once commonly used in paint, plumbing, and many consumer products....
Phthalates
A group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. Also used as...
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
A group of chemicals found in coal tar, petroleum, and formed during incomplete combustion. In...
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers
A colorless gas used as a preservative, disinfectant, and textile finishing agent. In clothing,...
Ingredient Red Flags
Watch for these on ingredient labels:
- Very cheap imported shoes
- Character shoes from unknown brands
- Strong chemical smell
- Bright plastic decorations
- Leather causing skin rash
What to Look For
- ✓Third-party tested for heavy metals and chemicals
- ✓PVC-free and phthalate-free materials
- ✓Vegetable-tanned leather options
Finding Safer Options
Brands like See Kai Run, Pediped, or Ten Little that prioritize safety testing. Vegetable-tanned leather shoes. Canvas sneakers from trusted brands.
Certifications to Look For
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