Cheap but deadly: Lead-tainted ref magnets sold in Divisoria

Some colorful ref magnets and cord holders for electronic devices sold in Divisoria, Manila, have been found to contain high levels of lead, according to an environmental watch group.

The EcoWaste Coalition issued this warning yesterday after it bought and tested six ref magnets for P10 each and 15 cord holders sold to P35 apiece.

“The brightly painted magnets [shaped like animals] and cord holders [featuring cartoon characters] tested positive for lead, a toxic chemical added to some paints and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics,” EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect coordinator Thony Dizon said in a press statement.

Dizon explained that the group used a portable X-ray fluorescence device to test the samples which were found to contain up to 18,100 parts per million (ppm) of lead, way above the 90 ppm limit set for decorative paints.

“The colorful animal figures attached to round magnets are individually packed in clear plastic and carried no labeling details, depriving consumers of their right to basic product information while the cord holders designed with iconic cartoon characters are incompletely labeled,” Dizon added, noting that none of the products indicated lead as an active ingredient.

Dizon said that the absence of important information about the product and its chemical composition “goes against consumer interest as guaranteed under Republic Act No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines. Consumers should and must insist on their right

to know.”

The group said that these items may be easily accessed by children and could damage their developing brain and nervous system.

Aside from these side effects, EcoWaste said that lead exposure may also result in loss of intelligence, short attention span and disruptive behavior.

“Aside from lead exposure, the sampled refrigerator magnets and cord holders may also pose a choking hazard. The magnets, for example, are not securely attached and can be easily swallowed by children,” Dizon added.

The group advised those who have already bought such items to keep them out of children’s reach.

The EcoWaste Coalition said that it released the advisory to coincide with the global observance of World Consumer Rights Day yesterday and to also warn the public about these hazardous items.