Despite improvement in product quality over the years, the problem of leakage remains a lingering concern to users of condoms.
Of particular concern, besides pregnancy prevention, is a condom's crucial function to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, which causes AIDS.
This was the conclusion reached after a total of six Consumer Council tests on condoms since 1988.
In the latest test, leakage was detected in eight of the 28 male latex condom models sourced mainly from drugstores, supermarket chain and convenience store outlets throughout Hong Kong.
But only two of the eight models were considered unsatisfactory - with leakage in excess of the acceptable number of defective samples of two per 315 samples, determined with reference to ISO 4074:2002 and ISO 2859-1.
Altogether 17 samples out of a total of 8,820 samples were detected with leakage problem. The failure rate was a minimal 0.19%.
Nonetheless, that is still a risk, though a very slim one, that condom users have to face in the prevention of pregnancy and STDs, in particular AIDS.
Even given the variations in test and sampling methods over the years, condom quality has seen steady improvement in respect of leakage - from a peak of 6.63% in failure rate in 1988 when the Consumer Council first undertook to test the product, to 0.53% in 2000.
In addition to leakage problem, another safety test of condoms concerns the burst volume and pressure.
16 of the models were found to have samples that failed to measure up to the expectation - bursting at a volume or pressure lower than the safety requirement.
The test stipulates that the bursting pressure shall be not less than 1.0 kPa and the bursting volume shall be not less than, for instance, 18.0 dm3 in the case of condoms with a width greater than or equal to 50.0 mm and up to 56.0 mm.
Two of the 16 models were subsequently judged unsatisfactory - with defective samples in excess of the acceptable 10 per 315 samples.
Further, two samples were found to have a sample each bearing a visible defect in the form of permanent crease with adhesion of the film of condom.
Overall, of the 28 models tested, 25 (nearly 90%) were rated satisfactory in all aspects of physical properties.
In general, all models were found satisfactory in both labeling and user instructions.
Consumers are reminded to always check the expiry date on the package. And avoid purchasing condoms which have expired, stored in poor package condition or placed under strong light or at high temperature.
The Consumer Council has notified the Customs and Excise Department of the test findings for any further investigation it may deem necessary under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance.
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