The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that prolonged and direct contact with the tongue lining on the boots could expose the person wearing the boots to the toxic chemical benzidine.
Dr. Martens Vegan 1460 boots in cherry red
The chemical was found in low levels in the tongue lining of the boot, where benzidine was in the dye used to color the lining fabric.
Benzidine is a carcinogen that is known to cause cancer. In the past, large amounts of benzidine were used to make dyes for cloth, paper, and leather. It was also used as a rubber-compounding agent.
The cherry-red boots were sold for about $125 at Dr. Marten’s, Journeys, and independent retailers nationwide in the U.S. and online at amazon.com, DrMartens.com, shoebuy.com, and other websites between January 2015 and July 2017.
The recalled boots have a chunky sole, a golden heel pull loop, and they are printed with the word “AirWair.” The boots can be identified by Product Code #14585 printed on the tongue label with a batch code starting with “GV” and ending in Q, R, or S.
Consumers who purchased the boots should immediately stop wearing them and contact Dr. Marten’s for a full refund or replacement.
For more information, you can call 800-460-3930 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, email dmservice@drmartens.com, or go online at www.DrMartens.com.
Source: Dr. Martens Vegan Boots Recalled by Airwair Due to Chemical Exposure Hazard