Raids urged on shops selling silver cleaners with cyanide

BE EXTRA careful when buying silver cleaners, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public, saying the substance may result in acute poisoning or even death.

The finding, meanwhile, prompted EcoWaste Coalition, a Quezon City-based environment group, to call for raids on stores in Quiapo, Manila, where these products were being sold.

“We ask our local government, health and police officials to heed FDA’s request and promptly launch joint law enforcement operations to rid the marketplace of cyanide-laced silver cleaning solutions,” said EcoWaste’s Project Protect coordinator Thony Dizon.

“When buying silver cleaners, the consumers must be mindful of several details in the product label,” the FDA said in an advisory, adding: “Avoid buying those without instructions in English and/or in Philippine dialects.”

At the same time, the product labels must also have the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, distributor or seller, as well as the common or usual name of the chemical, the FDA said.

The health agency issued the warning after it found three silver cleaners positive for the toxic chemical cyanide. It identified these as Unisilver’s Silver Dip, Silver Sparkle Flat Silver Dip and Cleanse Silver (Copper) Cleaner.

It warned the public against “using, buying and storing” silver cleaning products which contain cyanide as these were hazardous to both humans and animals.

“Cyanide is classified as poisonous, which can be rapidly absorbed by the body through inhalation, ingestion and dermal absorption,” the FDA said.

It added that cyanide blocks the use of oxygen in organs and was known to cause serious injury, resulting in acute poisoning or death.

Conduct raids now

Some EcoWaste members personally went to the jewelry shops where the FDA bought sample silver cleaning products and were able to purchase the same for P55 to P60. They even noted that these were offered free to customers for a minimum purchase of P500.

After the discovery, the group called on Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada to go after these stores selling toxic products and revoke their business permits. Dizon said that this would show that Estrada “meant business.” With Maricar B. Brizuela