DOH urges public to monitor presence of toxic toys

HEALTH authorities yesterday warned parents not to buy cheap toys that contain high levels of toxic paints and chemicals.

“We can’t check all the toys in the market since we lack personnel. The public should be vigilant in looking out against it,” said Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta of the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7).

Madarieta said they only have one staffer assigned in their health devices and technology department.

“We are incapable of monitoring all the toys in the market,” she said. She said they haven’t conducted any tests on the toxicity of toys in the region.

She said they are usually dependent on orders from Manila in conducting lab tests.

High cadmium intake in the human body can lead to complications in the kidney and respiratory tract.

It can also cause “cadmium blues” a type of flu with symptoms like chills, fever, and muscle ache

The DOH advisory stated that prolonged exposures can cause tracheo-bronchitis, pneumonitis and pulmonary edema.

Madarieta said consumers should look for the registration number of the product, which proves that it has been approved by the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT) and is safe for the children.

Madarieta said the product number signifies that the toxicity of toys are already checked and analyzed.

“Kids often bite their toys, and they would exposed to the chemicals in it. The parents should also follow the appropriate age group prescribed in the toys,” she said.

Madarietta said most consumers are unaware of the toxic content of the toys and some also seemed to overlook its significance.  She also advised the parents to follow the safety instructions on using the toys.

This year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory assuring the public that toys and school supplies are being monitored in the market.

The advisory also advised parents to check the labels and packaging of the product and observe precautions on the appearance and authenticity of the label. /Candeze R. Mongaya, Reporter