(Nitori Japan photo) (Nitori Japan photo)

Taipei (Taiwan News) — Nitori Taiwan is recalling nine different diatomaceous earth (DE) products because they were found to contain asbestos, a carcinogen.

The Japanese furniture and home accessories retail company revealed that a total of 9 DE products, including bath mats, may have been contaminated with excessive amounts of asbestos. CNA wrote that the contaminated goods are being recalled.

The 9 contaminated items were all manufactured in China, and more than 2.41 million items have been sold.

Nitori Taiwan said on Wednesday (December 23) that the products in question had been removed from the shelves on December 16. It added that DE products currently sold in its stores do not cause health problems.

You can get a refund by returning the product to the retailer's branch, regardless of whether there is a receipt or not, and regardless of the time of purchase. Nitori Taiwan said that the detailed refund policy will be announced on its official website later.

Exposure to asbestos fibers is associated with many health hazards, including asbestosis (caused by asbestos thread inhalation into the lungs) and mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that forms on the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen). According to a 2018 report from the World Health Organization, approximately 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos in the workplace.

(Photo by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan)

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