A sampling of assorted toys bought in Manila by an
environmental watchdog revealed high levels of lead and other heavy metals in
94 out of 200 toys.
“Our latest investigation shows that nearly half of the toys we analyzed had at
least one hazardous substance like lead, which could put the health of young
children in danger,” said Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s
Project Protect.
“On the other hand, we also found more than half of the samples practically
free of heavy metals, indicating that such hazardous substances can be replaced
with non-toxic substitutes,” he said.
Among the hazardous substances found in the samples were chemicals considered
by the World Health Organization as among the “10 chemicals of major public
health concern such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, which also belong to
the Philippine Priority Chemicals List of 48 chemicals that could “pose
unreasonable risks to public health, workplace and the environment” as per the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The pre-Christmas sampling saw
the group’s AlerToxic Patrollers buying samples worth P10 to P180 each from
over 20 toy retailers and wholesalers in Divisoria, Ermita, Paco, Malate,
Quiapo and Sta. Cruz, Manila.
The samples were purchased on September 18 to 21 and subsequently screened for
heavy metals using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer.
Results showed that:
1. 94 of the 200 toy samples (47%) had at least one toxic metal, out of which
76 had lead above the 90 parts per million (ppm) limit for lead in paints and
surface coatings.
2. Of these 94 samples, none had labels indicating the presence of toxic
chemical ingredients to warn consumers.
3. Of the 200 samples, only 20 items (10%) had the issued “license to operate”
number printed on their labels, signifying that most samples were not duly
registered and compliant with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for
Safety of Toys.
Lead, a potent neurotoxin ingested, inhaled or absorbed by the skin, can cause
mental retardation, learning difficulties, lower intelligence quotient scores,
growth delays and behavioral problems, as well as anemia, hearing loss and
kidney injury.
Dr. Bessie Antonio, a pediatric toxicologist and head of the East Avenue
Medical Center’s Out-Patient Department, stressed that children are very
vulnerable to lead exposure and poisoning due to their usual hand-to-mouth
behavior.
“Lead is directly ingested by kids when they put their hands or toys that may
contain lead paint or dust in their mouths. Their immature body organs and
systems are still developing and very susceptible to the damaging effects of
lead and other toxicants,” she stated.
Coalition has put forward the following tips to help consumers avoid unsafe
toys:
1. Carefully examine the product label, which should contain the product name,
the name and contact details of the manufacturer or distributor, the LTO number
issued by the government, age for intended use and cautionary warnings in English
or Filipino. Always check the product label for chemical safety and health
information.
2. Steer clear of toys made of polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC), which contains
load of toxic additives, toys with strong chemical or perfume smell, and
painted toys unless certified lead-safe.
other potential hazards in toys including choking, electrocution, laceration,
mechanical, microbiological and strangulation hazards, especially toys intended
for children below 3 years of age.
“As Christmas nears, we remind consumers to watch out for toys that may expose
their young users to harm. Be assertive, insist on your right to properly
labeled, tested and registered toys for kids,” the EcoWaste Coalition said.
-end-
TAINTED TOYS PER CATEGORY FROM THE ECOWASTE COALITIN TOYS SAMPLING, SEPTEMBER
2013:
1. TOY FURNITURE: A yellow-painted metal “Winnie the Pooh” chair with back
rest, 26,900 ppm of lead.
2. DOLL: An unclothed girl doll holding a yellow towel with 23,200 ppm of lead,
8,909 ppm of chromium, 1,441 ppm of arsenic and 655 ppm of cadmium.
3. MUG: A mug with red and yellow “Winnie the Pooh” design with 11, 200 ppm of
lead, 3,384 ppm of cadmium and 1,797 ppm of arsenic.
4. SPORTING TOY: A black and yellow “SpongeBob SquarePants” PVC plastic boxing
gloves with 9,356 ppm of lead.
5. TOY ANIMAL: A red and green dragon with 5,207 ppm of lead.
6. CARTOON FIGURE: A Pocket Bola “Pikachu” character, with 5,165 ppm of lead.
7. WRITING TOOL: A mini-white board with “SpongeBob Squarepants”
and“Patrick” characters with 4,128 ppm of lead.
8. SOFT BALL: A “King Sports” soft stuffed ball with 3,902 ppm of lead.
9. BODY ACCESSORY: A green “Ben 10” wrist strap with 3,257 ppm of lead.
10. TOY CAR: A “Grand Prix Formula 1” toy car with 2,000 ppm of lead.
whale-like ceramic money box with 1,451 ppm of lead, 1,582 ppm of cadmium and
2,047 ppm of chromium.
unlabeled toy gun with 978 ppm of lead.
13. ACTION FIGURE: A police action figure with 344 of lead.
14. MUSICAL TOY: A “Spence” xylophone with 296 ppm of lead.
TOY COSMETICS: A “Pretty Girl” make-up set with 92 ppm of mercury.