TOXICS watch group EcoWaste Coalition, with support from an international nongovernment organization promoting safe chemicals policies and practices, recently published a report entitled “Harmful Chemicals Detected in Toys Sold in the Philippines.” For consumer health and safety, the report recommended that buyers should “examine product labels for chemical safety and health information and avoid purchasing items with undisclosed chemical contents.”
Yes, some items we purchase – such as toys for children this holiday season – could contain harmful chemicals and we may have no idea about them.
What should be done?
The Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry must promulgate the long-delayed Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act. Congress should also expedite the enactment of the proposed Safe and Non-Toxic Children’s Product Act.
Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers should not engage in the production, trade and sale of toys and other children’s products containing hazardous chemicals such as those included on the Philippines Priority Chemical List, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and other relevant laws and regulations.
Manufacturers should actively generate and disclose the chemical content of toys and children’s products as a condition for sale in the Philippines and to make such information readily available through adequate and comprehensible product labels and warnings.
Some of these items may have lead – a highly poisonous chemical that is known to cause irreparable and irreversible mental and physical impairment affecting children as well as adults. Young children are most susceptible to the adverse effects of lead exposure as their brains and nervous systems are still developing.
It is nice to give and receive gifts during this joyous season. However, not many of us are aware that we might be giving dangerous gifts laden with hazardous substances such as lead, which can result in intellectual disability, developmental problems and other health woes for the innocent recipient.
Let us all be forewarned.
