Loom band charms have been taken off the Maltese market after being found to contain dangerous levels of a toxic chemical.

The little bands – a craze which has taken over Europe and the US including Malta – see children link together small, colourful rubber bands to create bracelets.

The original rainbow loom bands comply with US safety standards but cheap ‘copycat’ bands manufactured in the Far East and which carry no EC safety mark have raised concern.

Charms tested by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority have been found to contain phthalates in amounts that exceed the limits allowed by law.

Phthalates are used as a softener in PVC and can be found on textiles, coated leather and more commonly plastic-type articles. They can migrate into the body via saliva or sweat and they can cause cancer or reproductive problems.

Children sometimes make and wear loom bands for long periods so there is often 24-hour direct contact.

The MCCAA recalled the charms from the market and advised consumers to remove the products from the reach of children and return them to the place of purchase.

The warning follows similar action taken in the UK where tests were carried out on several loom band ‘charms’ – the accessories attached to necklaces and bracelets created by children – and some were found to have similar high phthalates.

According to the Birmingham Assay Office – an independent company which tests the safety of toys – the legal limit for phthalates is 0.1 per cent by weight of the plasticised material in toys and childcare articles.

With the fad showing no signs of abating, many people are ordering the loom bands online from China, the Far East, India and Vietnam.

The Birmingham Assay Office urged parents to be vigilant and buy packets of loom bands and charms with the CE safety mark from reputable retailers.