Glasses, mugs test positive for lead

’Tis the season for gift-giving but no painted drinking glasses and mugs, please.

Toxic chemicals watch group EcoWaste Coalition on Monday warned that many of the drinking glasses and mugs sold in popular tiangges (bazaars) in Metro Manila contain big amounts of dangerous chemicals that could pose health risks, particularly to children.

According to Thony Dizon, coordinator of the group’s “Project Protect,” they took 50 samples of the products from sidewalk vendors at Quiapo and Divisoria in Manila and subjected these to chemical analysis on November 18.

Based on the results, 32 items, or 64 percent, contained from 20,700 to as much as 44,400 parts per million (ppm) of lead—nearly 500 times higher than the 90 ppm threshold under the US Consumer Product Improvement Act of 2008, Dizon said.

“The samples contained mind-boggling amounts of toxic chemicals… which are totally unacceptable for products meant to spread Christmas cheer,” he added.

“This shocking eye-opener is truly worrisome as lead in painted glassware comes in direct contact with a child’s mouth and poses a serious health risk,” Dizon stressed.

Sold at prices ranging from P20 to P100, painted glasses and mugs are favorite gift items during the holiday season because these are eye-catching, affordable and easy to wrap up, he said.

The presence of lead in consumer products can endanger a person’s health, according to toxicologist Dr. Bessie Antonio, a resource person of EcoWaste Coalition and president of the Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology.

She added that lead exposure among children could decrease their attention span, lower their intelligence and cause delays in the development of speech, reading and other learning skills.

Aside from lead, the sample glasses and mugs were also found to contain other hazardous chemicals such as antimony, arsenic, cadmium and chromium in amounts “above levels of concern.”

EcoWaste Coalition said that the presence of these chemicals increases the chances of multiple exposure to hazardous chemicals among consumers. It also pointed out that none of the products were properly labeled or contained a warning about the presence of toxic ingredients.

The samples, mostly imported from China, were tested using an X-ray Fluorescence device—a chemical analyzer widely used by private companies and regulatory agencies in the United States.

Some of the items featured popular video game or cartoon characters such as Angry Birds and Snoopy while others bore colorful flower patterns and animal caricatures like giraffes, bears and sheep.

“Given the practical limitations of our consumers and governmental authorities, we appeal to manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and vendors not to market and sell toys and other Christmas gift items unless they have undergone rigorous testing and have been certified safe for children to play or use,” the group said.

“Paint used to decorate glasses, mugs and other containers for food and beverage must be lead-free and food-safe,” it added.—With  a report from Jaymee T. Gamil