‘Toxic toys’ in stores

Twenty-five percent out of 100 children’s products purchased in Cebu tested positive for at least one toxic metal above levels of concern, results of a study by ecology groups showed yesterday.

The “State of the Toys Analysis” (Sota) was done through the efforts of the Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC), EcoWaste Coalition and the IPEN to examine the consumer toxic exposure among children in the city.

Elements of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury were found in toys and other products like children’s cosmetics, flooring and school supplies bought from markets, shopping malls and ukay-ukay stores in Cebu.

They were tested last Wednesday by IPEN Science and Policy adviser Dr. Joseph DiGangi using a hand-held x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, an instrument widely used in American environmental regulatory agencies.

Twenty-five items tested positive for content of at least one harmful metal substance while eight samples contained more than one toxic metal. None of these products were labeled with information of their hazardous content.

A number of these samples were used in contact with the mouth, including two drinking glasses with high levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic, a toy container for candies and a toy vampire teeth.

DiGangi said the products that tested positive were manufactured from various countries including China, Thailand, US and the Philippines. These toxic metals are known to cause different health hazards such as lung, liver and heart diseases.

Lead, in particular, causes sensory, motor, cognitive and behavioral defects, impairing learning abilities, especially among children. Mercury is a neurotoxicant that damages the kidneys and different body systems.

Environmental advocates called on manufacturers of children’s products to submit their products for testing and phase out those that would confirm positive.

“This calls for private sectors to practice self-regulation and proper labeling of their products,” advised lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, PEJC coordinator.

Councilor Maria Nida Cabrera said she is committed to formulate an ordinance that would ban toxic products in the city in line with their ongoing advocacy against hazardous waste.