Thirty Percent of Chinese Condoms Not ‘Up to Standard’
Thirty percent of condoms manufactured in China are not "up to standard," according to a new survey by China's State Quality Inspection Bureau. The study found that only 35 of the 50 surveyed condom brands were up to standard, while only 18 of the 26 types of condoms produced by China's six state-owned condom makers met the grade. Agence France-Presse reports that many of the condoms were faulted for "failing strength tests." In addition, the study revealed that many condom manufacturers were selling unpackaged condoms to packaging companies that "had neither the technological or inspection machinery to ensure the safety and reliability of the product." A 1997 China Population Statistics Yearbook report found that only 3.5% of women "of childbearing age" said that they used condoms, but Agence France-Presse reports that condom use has increased in recent years due to concerns over HIV/AIDS and other STDs (Agence France-Presse, 7/31).
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