All children should be
able to draw and write without being exposed to the hazards of mercury, an
extremely toxic element, in crayons and pencils.
able to draw and write without being exposed to the hazards of mercury, an
extremely toxic element, in crayons and pencils.
The EcoWaste
Coalition, a toxics watchdog, emphasized the right of every child to safe
drawing and writing materials following an investigation it initiated that
found mercury in dozens of crayon and pencil products bought mainly from
Divisoria, the budget shopping paradise.
Coalition, a toxics watchdog, emphasized the right of every child to safe
drawing and writing materials following an investigation it initiated that
found mercury in dozens of crayon and pencil products bought mainly from
Divisoria, the budget shopping paradise.
Of the 22
samples of crayon sets, 18 were found to exceed the allowable limit of 20 parts
per million (ppm) under the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Safety of
Toys, the group reported. Mercury up to
307 ppm was particularly found in purple or violet crayons.
samples of crayon sets, 18 were found to exceed the allowable limit of 20 parts
per million (ppm) under the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Safety of
Toys, the group reported. Mercury up to
307 ppm was particularly found in purple or violet crayons.
Traces of
mercury were also detected in 38 of the 44 pencil samples. While not exceeding the PNS, the EcoWaste
Coalition pointed out that the amounts of mercury, particularly in the ferrules
that kids often bite, were above the regulatory limits for mercury in fish (0.5
ppm) and in cosmetics (1 ppm).
mercury were also detected in 38 of the 44 pencil samples. While not exceeding the PNS, the EcoWaste
Coalition pointed out that the amounts of mercury, particularly in the ferrules
that kids often bite, were above the regulatory limits for mercury in fish (0.5
ppm) and in cosmetics (1 ppm).
“We find it
disturbing that mercury, a potent neurotoxin, is present in crayons and pencils
that children often put in their mouths, a most prevalent route for mercury
intake,” said Aileen Lucero, Acting National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
disturbing that mercury, a potent neurotoxin, is present in crayons and pencils
that children often put in their mouths, a most prevalent route for mercury
intake,” said Aileen Lucero, Acting National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
“Some may say
that the amounts of mercury we found in the samples are miniscule, but we must
not forget that no level of mercury is safe, especially for children whose
developing brains and other vital organs are most vulnerable to the toxic
effects of mercury,” she said.
that the amounts of mercury we found in the samples are miniscule, but we must
not forget that no level of mercury is safe, especially for children whose
developing brains and other vital organs are most vulnerable to the toxic
effects of mercury,” she said.
Mercury tends to
accumulate in the food chain and the human body, mainly in the brain, liver and
kidneys, via ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption, Lucero explained.
accumulate in the food chain and the human body, mainly in the brain, liver and
kidneys, via ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption, Lucero explained.
“All products
meant for use in learning or playing by children should be entirely safe from
mercury and other hazards. It is important to eradicate all contributors to
childhood exposure to mercury,” she emphasized.
meant for use in learning or playing by children should be entirely safe from
mercury and other hazards. It is important to eradicate all contributors to
childhood exposure to mercury,” she emphasized.
The discovery of
mercury in crayons and pencils (albeit
at low levels) prompted the group to push for a stricter limit to minimize
children’s exposure to mercury due to their frequent hand-to-mouth activities.
mercury in crayons and pencils (albeit
at low levels) prompted the group to push for a stricter limit to minimize
children’s exposure to mercury due to their frequent hand-to-mouth activities.
Jeiel Guarino,
in-house chemist of the EcoWaste Coalition said
that “regulators should consider revising the current threshold for
mercury in toys and related children’s products, which is too weak to
adequately protect the health of the Filipino child.”
in-house chemist of the EcoWaste Coalition said
that “regulators should consider revising the current threshold for
mercury in toys and related children’s products, which is too weak to
adequately protect the health of the Filipino child.”
“Children often
bite into and chew on toys and related products such as crayons and pencils,
so mercury as an additive or an impurity
should not be present at all in articles that may get into their hands and
mouths,” he said.
bite into and chew on toys and related products such as crayons and pencils,
so mercury as an additive or an impurity
should not be present at all in articles that may get into their hands and
mouths,” he said.
“While there
really is no safe threshold, using the 0.5 ppm limit for mercury in fish or the
1 ppm limit for mercury in cosmetics, rather than 20 ppm, will be a more
child-friendly option,” he said.
really is no safe threshold, using the 0.5 ppm limit for mercury in fish or the
1 ppm limit for mercury in cosmetics, rather than 20 ppm, will be a more
child-friendly option,” he said.
If either the
said 0.5 ppm or 1 ppm limit is applied, 18 of the crayons and 38 of the pencils
screened by the EcoWaste Coalition would have hugely exceeded such a ceiling.
said 0.5 ppm or 1 ppm limit is applied, 18 of the crayons and 38 of the pencils
screened by the EcoWaste Coalition would have hugely exceeded such a ceiling.
TIPS TO AVOID MERCURY EXPOSURE:
To prevent and reduce children’s exposure to mercury via school supplies, the
EcoWaste Coalition advises parents and teachers:
– to supervise
kids as they use their crayons and pencils;
kids as they use their crayons and pencils;
– to constantly
remind them not to bite or chew on their
drawing and writing tools; and
remind them not to bite or chew on their
drawing and writing tools; and
– to wash their
hands after drawing or writing activities, especially before eating.
hands after drawing or writing activities, especially before eating.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ON CRAYONS ANALYZED:
INFORMATION ON CRAYONS ANALYZED:
Out of 22 crayon
sets, 18 were found to be contaminated with mercury in the range of 22 to 307
ppm.
sets, 18 were found to be contaminated with mercury in the range of 22 to 307
ppm.
7 of the 22
samples had the “non-toxic” mark as required by the Department of Trade and
Industry, and 3 of the 7 “non-toxic” crayons had 22, 28 and 251 ppm of mercury,
indicating that not all “non-toxic” claims should be taken at face value.
samples had the “non-toxic” mark as required by the Department of Trade and
Industry, and 3 of the 7 “non-toxic” crayons had 22, 28 and 251 ppm of mercury,
indicating that not all “non-toxic” claims should be taken at face value.
Except for 1
product, all the mercury-positive crayon samples failed to provide complete
information about their manufacturers or distributors and their contact details
in violation of product labeling requirements.
product, all the mercury-positive crayon samples failed to provide complete
information about their manufacturers or distributors and their contact details
in violation of product labeling requirements.
Among the
crayons with the most mercury were:
crayons with the most mercury were:
a. 12-piece
“Mingda Colorful Crayons” with 307 ppm of mercury.
“Mingda Colorful Crayons” with 307 ppm of mercury.
b. Nine samples
of 8-piece “Jumbo Wax Crayons” featuring famous cartoon figures (Angry Birds,
Barbie, Hello Kitty, Spongebob Squarepants, Spiderman, Thomas and Friends, Toy
Story and Transformers) with mercury between 250 to 292 ppm.
of 8-piece “Jumbo Wax Crayons” featuring famous cartoon figures (Angry Birds,
Barbie, Hello Kitty, Spongebob Squarepants, Spiderman, Thomas and Friends, Toy
Story and Transformers) with mercury between 250 to 292 ppm.
The crayon
samples were obtained from 7 stores mostly located at New Divisoria Mall, 1188
Mall and 168 Mall, all in Divisoria, Manila.
samples were obtained from 7 stores mostly located at New Divisoria Mall, 1188
Mall and 168 Mall, all in Divisoria, Manila.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ON PENCILS ANALYZED:
INFORMATION ON PENCILS ANALYZED:
Out of 44 pencil
samples, 38 were found to contain traces of mercury from 6 to 16 ppm. Mercury was specifically detected in the
ferrules, or the metal ring that holds the eraser.
samples, 38 were found to contain traces of mercury from 6 to 16 ppm. Mercury was specifically detected in the
ferrules, or the metal ring that holds the eraser.
Low levels of
lead were also found in half of the samples, but lead above the US limit of 90
ppm was found in a “Made in China 6181 HB”pencil (324 ppm at the pencil’s body)
and “Goliath 908 HB” (340 ppm at pencil’s ferrule).
lead were also found in half of the samples, but lead above the US limit of 90
ppm was found in a “Made in China 6181 HB”pencil (324 ppm at the pencil’s body)
and “Goliath 908 HB” (340 ppm at pencil’s ferrule).
The pencils were
procured from stationery shops in Juan Luna St. New Divisoria Mall and Tutuban
Mall in Divisoria and from major school supplies stores in Quiapo and Sta.
Cruz.
procured from stationery shops in Juan Luna St. New Divisoria Mall and Tutuban
Mall in Divisoria and from major school supplies stores in Quiapo and Sta.
Cruz.
-end-