Press Releases CHOICE # 242 (16 December 1996) Reliability of condoms concerned Facts about CPU Toxic substances found in over-heated cup noodle container Some "Zisha" (Chinese ceramic) tea cup samples contain excessive lead content How to choose alarm system for elderly or disabled ? Some telephone sets may not be compatible to the upcoming calling number display (CND) function Price survey on residential property in Mei Foo (Southwestern Kowloon) Substandard condoms are a matter oflife or death! For they may result in unwanted pregnancy or the transmission of HIV, thecause of AIDS, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The Consumer Council which has longbeen concerned with the reliability of condoms, today released its latest test report onthe biggest batch of condom samples (30,000) ever conducted on this product since 1988. The results are as disappointing asthey are worrying. Out of the 95 models marketed under 50 brands in Hong Kong, one-thirdof them were found to be unsatisfactory posing a potential hazard to their users. The condoms were subjected to a seriesof physical tests which measure their likelihood of leakage and breakage. The samples were sourced from retailoutlets in Hong Kong as well as, for the first time, in Shenzhen and Macau. The results, based largely on ISO4074-1 (Condom Standard), showed that 16 models were unsatisfactory in the leakage test,22 models in the air burst test and 12 models in the tensile test. The worst condoms with the mostsubstandard samples were found in one model with 44 out of 125 samples failing the leakagetest (the maximum failure allowed is 1) and another with 61 out of 125 samples failing thebursting pressure test (the maximum failure allowed is 5). While the results were far fromreassuring, consumers can take relief at the outcome that two-thirds of the samplescomplied with the standard in their physical tests and were considered reliable to use. The use of condoms as a means ofpreventing HIV infection is well established. Consumers are therefore advised to exercisecare in the choice of condoms of good quality. They can consult the test report in this(242) December issue of the Council's monthly magazine 'CHOICE'. In the samples were 8 models whichclaimed to contain the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 (N9) in their lubricants (with claimedconcentration from 5 percent to 8 percent w/w). The spermicide N9 was at the centre ofa recent controversy in the UK over its effect on the sperm count of the male user and thedevelopment of male reproductive organs of the fetus due to potential exposure to N9during pregnancy. The Council will keep in view of the development. On labelling, only 30 out of 95 condommodels were considered satisfactory in accordance with the ISO standard. Many needimprovement or lack manufacture/expiry date and other required labellings. The Consumer Council has notified, atthe first instance, of its test results to the Customs and Excise Department forinvestigation under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance which prohibits the supply ofsubstandard condoms in Hong Kong. Condom manufacturers are urged tomaintain a high standard of quality in their products because of the grave consequencessubstandard condoms may cause to their users.   As the cold weather sets in, theConsumer Council has turned its attention to a new emerging market geared to run immediaterescue to the elderly or disabled in distress. Operators offer an round-the-clockstandby ready to respond to emergency calls from its clients who can raise the alarmsimply at the touch of a button. The Council has conducted a marketsurvey on 9 such service providers --- most are commercially operated and some non-profitorganisations. In moments of emergency, for example,a sudden severe cold spell attack, the elderly or disabled armed with a remote trigger ontheir body (a pendant or a wrist watch), can swiftly summon help by pressing a button onthe device. This will activate a local unit in thehouse which in turn will act as an auto dialler connecting it to the control centre viathe telephone line. Operators at the control centre willestablish the caller's identity, monitor the situation and provide the necessaryassistance. In this December issue of 'CHOICE' isprovided useful and practical information, particularly on (1) features of the local unitand the remote trigger, (2) the supporting service provided by the control centre, and (3)how to choose (whether to buy or lease). As local units and remote triggersavailable in the market vary in features, consumers should heed the following: The unit must be user friendly, andmust not be difficult or confusing to operate as users are mainly the elderly or disabled. It is desirable to have microphone andspeaker on the local unit to allow effective two-way communication between the caller andthe control centre. The unit should warn the user and if possible the control centre of power and telephone line failure. It is desirable to have microphone and speaker on the local unit to allow effective two-way communication between the caller and the control centre. The unit should warm the user and if possible the control centre of power and telephone line failure. The remote trigger should be easy to press and water proof so that the user can wear it even when bathing. As the remote trigger generates radio wave, some experts do not exclude the possibility that radio wave generated by the remote trigger may interfere the operation of pace maker. For consumers implanted with a pace maker, they are advised not to use remote trigger until it has been proven safe to use. Consumers should check with service providers that their products comply with the Telecommunication Ordinance. In the survey, all service providers claimed that their products fall within the Telecommunication (Low Power Devices) (Exemption from Licensing) Order. Service providers, on the other hand, should provide thefollowing: A reliable service, e.g. man the hotline as claimed. Active regular preventive maintenance service to ensure the local unit in good condition. Adequately trained operators to communicate effectively with the user and provide adequate assistance. In case of power or equipment failure, the control centre should be able to resume service within a reasonable period of time with the installation of back up battery or power supply. In addition, the report noted that some service providersoffer one-off payment or a monthly charge. At such early stage of service development,consumers are advised to choose monthly charges to ascertain the quality of the serviceprovider and to avoid loss due to sudden closure of the company. Also, newproducts/service may emerge as the market becomes more mature in the future. The Consumer Council has also recommended the government andthe social services sector to consider ways and means to ensure reliability of servicei.e. whether it would be desirable to introduce legislation or licensing, over theoperation of these service providers. This is because of the high and irrevocable price auser may have to pay for an unreliable service - it may also cost live.   If you enjoy cup noodles with a cup of tea, take a closer lookat the containers in which your gastronomic delight is served. Recent reports from overseas have raised alarm of thepotential health hazard the material of the container for cup noodles and Zisha cups withbluish-white cracked glaze may pose. 59 samples of expanded polystyrene (EPS) food containercomprising 48 cup noodles, 2 instant rice porridges, 7 foam bowls, cups and plates and 2take-away containers were tested to investigate their safety for the presence of the toxicsubstance, residual styrene monomer (SM). A separate test was also conducted to study therelease of container constituents under different user conditions. The results showed that the amount of SM in these foodcontainers complied with the prescribed limit of the total residual styrene monomer asstipulated in the US Food and Drug Administration requirement. The highest value detected in these food container samples was0.08 percent - significantly less than the prescribed limit of 0.5 percent. Nevertheless, the Council cautioned consumers to avoid usingEPS containers to store food at a high temperature and for a long period of time. This is because the constituents of the EPS container couldget into your food. Such constituents may consist of styrene monomer and other additivesharmful to health. On the study on the release of container constituents, it wasshowed that when oily food was held in EPS containers at a temperature of 100C for 24hours, an amount of 728 mg/dm2 of the container constituents was transferred to the food.The amount is some 72 times higher than the prescribed limit of 10 mg/dm2 as stipulated inthe EEC Commission Directive (90/128/EEC). In addition, EPS wastes, like other plastic materials, giverise to environment problems. The amount of EPS container waste was on a drastic increasefrom 23 tonnes per day in 1993 to 62 tonnes in 1994. For a better environment, consumersshould make an effort to reduce the use of EPS containers. Included in the other test were 13 models of Zisha cupscomprising 7 with bluish-white cracked glaze, 3 with white glaze and 3 of the ordinaryZisha cups. The test affirmed that 3 out of the 7 models with bluish-whitecracked glaze had leachable lead content in excess of the prescribed ISO limit of 5 ppm. The highest leachable lead content in these 3 models inquestion was detected to be 10.6 ppm. Two of them bore marking on the bottom of the cupindicating that they are from a province in China. The other models were all within the safety limit. As it is difficult to recognise from appearance if abluish-white cracked glaze Zisha cup may have high lead content, consumers are advised toavoid such cups until they are able to verify the safety of the product.   Other highlights in this December issue of 'CHOICE':- Calling Number Display (CND) Telephone network operators are launching CND service whichwill available subscribers to identify incoming calls before answering. But don't rush out to buy CND equipment. This is because atthis early stage, the product choice is fairly limited. Also, not all telephone units witha LCD display is compatible with CND. Consumers need to be very careful. They should insist on ademonstration in the shop to ensure the required function really work. They are also notrestricted to buy from their network operator and may choose from any retail sources inthe market Personal Computer - CPU CPU is the heart of a computer. It can severely affect thewhole speed performance of the computer. The right choice is therefore crucial. Available in the market are several brands each with variousmodels. Consumers are advised to understand the basic specifications before making anypurchasing decision. They can consult the report in this issue of 'CHOICE'. Issued by Consumer Council 16th December 1996