Watchdog Sounds Alarm over Toxic Pollution as Firecrackers Test Positive for Lead and Other Heavy Metals

 Consumer fireworks found laced with toxic lead

 

 Consumer fireworks bought in Divisoria, Manila and screened for heavy metals

Quezon City.  The EcoWaste Coalition, a watchdog group on waste and pollution issues, expressed serious concern over the unregulated use of toxic metals in pyrotechnic devices.

This developed as the group discovered lead and other heavy metals in all the 20 samples of  consumer fireworks that it purchased for P8 to P170 each on December 2 and 3 from street vendors at Juan Luna, M. de Santos, Sto. Cristo and Tabora Sts. in Divisoria, Manila.

None of the 20 samples provided information about their chemical ingredients, particularly their heavy metal contents such as aluminum, barium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead and zinc, which are combined to the black powder mixture to create the desired colors and sparks.

“We are deeply concerned about the cocktail of toxic fumes and residues from the use of firecrackers and fireworks containing undisclosed quantities of lead and other heavy metals,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

“To make it worse, many of these hazardous products are packaged for retail sales and eventually sold to innocent children like ordinary candies,” she lamented.

“A lucky child may escape getting injured from using these dangerous articles, but she or he could not run away from the toxic smoke resulting  from the blast.  Unknown to the child, the ensuing smoke is full of poison chemicals that can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, trigger asthma and cause even far serious health problems,” she pointed out.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, a pulmonologist, had earlier warned that the “blasting of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices yields greenhouse gases, metal oxides, particulates and other pollutant that we inhale, affecting the lungs and other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart and brain.”

Using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence analytical device, the group detected lead, a potent neurotoxin and probable human carcinogen, up to 6,519 parts per million (ppm) in 10 samples such as:

1. Tiger Fireworks’ “Dragon Egg Thunder,” 6,519 ppm lead.
2. Leopard King’s “Pili Cracker” (small box), 4,870 ppm lead.
3. Leopard King’s “Spirit Whip,” 4,105 ppm lead.
4. Diamond Fireworks’ “Great Small Magic Scourge,” 3,893 ppm lead.
5. Leopard King’s “Pili Cracker” (big box), 3,076 ppm lead, 495 ppm barium.
6. Tiger Fireworks’ “Dragon Eggs,” 2,913 ppm lead and 1,419 ppm barium.
7. Leopard King’s “Happy Ball,” 2,261 ppm lead
8. Diamond Fireworks’ “Pilipao Crackers,” 2,066 ppm lead.
9. Leopard King’s “World Warcraft,” 1,081 ppm lead.
10. Leopard King’s “Happy Flower,” 123 ppm lead.

The XRF device detected antimony, another probable human carcinogen, in what is called as “Pulling Fireworks” at 12,000 ppm.

Barium was detected in nine samples, especially in luces and sparklers, in the range of 495 ppm to over 100,000 ppm.  Three products registered with barium above 100,000 ppm:  Leopard King’s “Sparklers,” Lion Fireworks’ “Sparklers” and Leopard King’s “Happy Flower.”

In light of its findings, the EcoWaste Coalition renewed its appeal to the general public to shun firecrackers and fireworks and opt for non-polluting, non-injuring merry making to celebrate the joyous holidays.

“We also request the public  to give the money saved from buying pyrotechnic devices (and the associated medical costs in case of allergy, injury or death) to charities to help in rebuilding homes and communities devastated by super typhoon Yolanda,” Lucero said.

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Environmentalists Shoot Down Bill that Will Lift Ban on Incineration

Quezon City. Some 100 advocates for environmental health and climate justice gathered in front of Batasang Pambansa to denounce a legislative measure, which, if enacted, will lift the landmark waste incineration ban under R.A. 8749, or the Clean Air Act.

Led by the EcoWaste Coalition and other pro-Zero Waste groups, the protestors slammed House Bill 3161 introduced by Caloocan 2^nd District Rep. Edgar Erice that seeks to amend Section 20 of the Clean Air Act to allow the use of incinerators to burn municipal, bio-medical and hazardous wastes in light of the country’s garbage problems.

In a position paper submitted to Manila 5^th District Rep. Amado Bagatsing, Chair of the House Committee on Ecology, the EcoWaste Coalition asked the Committee not to back HB 3161, which the group described “as a regressive step that can only worsen instead of solving the country’s garbage problems.” Instead, the group urged the Committee to uphold the full implementation of RA 8749 and also RA 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which also prohibits waste incineration.

“The incineration of waste simply transforms the garbage problem into a formidable air pollution problem which would be more difficult and costlier to deal with,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition.

“The burning of discards will liberate the heavy metals and other toxic substances present in the waste stream. The process of burning chlorinated materials, including some plastics, also creates super toxic substances, including proven carcinogens like dioxins and furans,” she explained.

“We maintain that the DENR does not have the capacity to monitor incinerators for these emissions of concern, so a decision to allow incinerators will only result in a more insidious pollution problem that will be difficult to address,” she emphasized.

Anne Larracas of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives noted that “studies show that burning recyclable or reusable resources initiates a climate-changing cycle of new resources drawn out of the Earth, processed in factories, shipped and used around the world, and then wasted in incinerators and landfills.”

“Incineration of wastes will still create a need for landfills as the process of incineration produces toxic ash and air particulates that will still need appropriate area for storage and hence, instead of limiting the aggregation of wastes, the proposed bill will create more toxic wastes that are harder to manage,” Larracas explained.

Merci Ferrer, Director of Health Care Without Harm Asia, added that “burning or incineration of bio-medical waste, by its nature, produces harmful pollutants, with dioxins and furans among the most harmful of the lot.”

“To incinerate bio-medical waste and at the same time meet the regulatory standards set by the Clean Air Act would be very costly and, by its impracticability, would render incineration a non-solution,” Ferrer added.

“Given the availability of alternative non-burn technologies with proven environmentally responsible track records, there is no need for the country to retrogress to incinerating bio-medical waste,” she added.

For her part, Atty. Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, Coordinator of the Philippine Earth Justice Center mentioned that “HB No. 3161 allowing incineration is a shameful act of backsliding and a grave manifestation of the utter lack of the political will of the state agencies to implement our long languishing environmental and climate related laws.”

“R.A. 9003, as presently worded and if only properly implemented, could effectively reduce the volume of waste and change the existing throw‐away mentality. What should be better addressed by amendment are the gaps in the law, such as provisions for disposal of hospital and other hazardous wastes and increased penalty for non‐performing public officials,” Atty. Ramos pointed out.

“We request our Congress to conduct a serious investigation in aid of legislation why executive agencies tasked to implement our environmental laws have utterly failed in their mission. Investigation, not incineration, is the urgent call of the hour,” Atty. Ramos stated.

Among the groups that submitted position papers to the Committee on Ecology were the Cavite Green Coalition, EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy,Health Care Without Harm, Partnership for Clean Air and the Philippine Earth Justice Center.

Also present to express their objection to the removal of the incineration ban under the R.A. 8749 were the representatives from Buklod Tao, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng mga Maralita ng Lungson, Miriam PEACE, November 17 Movement, Zero Waste Recycling Movement of the Philippines Foundation, Zero Waste Philippines and the Zone One Tondo Organization.

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EcoWaste Coalition Asks Retail Stores to Pull Out Toys with Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

As toy shopping spree rockets as Christmas nears, an environmental watchdog appealed to retail outlets to pull out toys found to contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) called phthalates.

In separate letters sent to Liana’s Department Store, Landmark Department Store, SM Department Store and King Fashion Accessories, the EcoWaste Coalition requested the retailers to desist from selling four specific products that can expose children to phthalates through ingestion, inhalation or skin contact.

As EDCs, phthalates, which are industrial chemicals often used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic soft and pliable, can alter hormonal functions resulting in to some serious reproductive and developmental health problems such as deformed penises, undescended testicles, precocious puberty, infertility, shorter pregnancy duration and birth defects.

Phthalate exposure is also linked to asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, obesity and cancer.

“The four products in question were found to surpass local and international limits for certain phthalates in children’s products and should be immediately withdrawn from the market,” said Thony Dizon, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.

In laboratory tests commissioned by the EcoWaste Coalition, SGS-Taiwan detected phthalates in four toys above the 0.1 percent by weight limit under the Department of Health Administrative Order 2009-005-A as amended in 2011, which is the same standard being enforced in the EU and US.

DOH A.O. 2009-0005-A states that “it shall be unlawful to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the country any children’s toy that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).”

The same directive prohibits three more types of phthalates such as diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) in “any children’s toy that can be placed in a child’s mouth that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent.”

Based on laboratory analyses, the following four kiddie products were found loaded with the restricted phthalates:  

1. An unlabeled yellow play chair with “Winnie the Pooh” vinyl seat procured for P176.75 from Liana’s Department Store, Taft Ave., Pasay City that had 1.5% DEHP;

2.  A “Spence” soft ball from a pack of six balls procured for P129.75 from Landmark Department Store in Trinoma, Quezon City that had 7.08% DEHP and 0.284% DINP;

3.  A green vinyl frog from a value pack of five squeaky toys obtained for P50 from Toy Express at SM City North EDSA, Quezon City that had 34.5% DINP and 0.295% DIDP; and

4.  A “Funny Toys” kiddie boxing gloves with “SpongeBob Squarepants” purchased for P33 from King Fashion Accessories, 698 Mall, Divisoria, Manila had 6.75 % DEHP.

In their letter to the retailers, the EcoWaste Coalition requested the concerned stores to return remaining stocks to the concerned manufacturer, importer or distributor and to refund or replace such item bought by their customers upon presentation of proof of purchase. 

“As a policy, we hope that your store will require your toy suppliers to comply with DOH A.O. 2009-0005-A, and to duly label compliant toys as “phthalate-free,” so that consumers can easily identify safer products to choose and purchase,” wrote Dizon.

“In addition, we call upon you to adopt a PVC-free policy and halt the sale of PVC-made children’s products as these often contain toxic additives such as phthalates, heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury, organotins and volatile organic compounds,” he suggested. 

“If this is not possible for now, we urge you to require health warning labels on PVC-containing children’s products to alert consumers about the risks posed by such products,” he said.

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Reference:
http://home.doh.gov.ph/ais_public/aopdf/ao2009-0005-A.pdf
https://www.endocrine.org/endocrine-press/scientific-statements

EcoWaste Coalition Tells Consumers to Watch Out for Toxic Toys

 

With the onset of the Christmas month and the shopping frenzy for toys, an environmental watchdog reminded the public to keep their eyes open for kiddie products laden with toxic chemicals.

The EcoWaste Coalition issued the reminder following the publication today of paid advertisements on “Toy Safety Tips” by  the Department of Health (DOH) in some newspapers (e.g., Bulgar, Philippine Daily Inquirer), which  the group found timely but silent on the issue of dangerous chemicals lurking in many toys being sold in the market.

“In addition to the ‘do’s and don’ts’ on purchasing toys issued by the DOH, we would like to add that consumers should watch out for toys containing hazardous chemicals that can put the health and future of a hapless child at risk,” said Thony Dizon, Coordinator,  EcoWaste
Coalition’s Project Protect.

Dizon’s dire warning on toxic chemicals in some toys is not without scientific basis.

The EcoWaste Coalition had earlier detected one or more toxic metals in 217 out of 450 toy samples that it procured between September to November 2013 from formal and non-formal retailers in Manila, Parañaque, Pasay and Quezon Cities.

Using an X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer, the group found antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury above levels of concern in the 217 samples, or 48% of the toys analyzed.

Out of the 217 tainted toys, 176 were found to contain lead, a brain damaging toxin, at levels way above the US limit of 90 parts per million for lead in paint and surface coatings.

Lead exposure in children via ingestion, inhalation or dermal contact can result in mental retardation, learning difficulties, lower intelligence quotient scores, growth delays and behavioral problems, as well as anemia, hearing loss and kidney injury, the EcoWaste
Coalition warned.

Dizon cited the following as top ten toy samples in terms of lead content that consumers should not patronize or give to kids:

1.  An unlabeled yellow painted play chair with “Winnie the Pooh” design with 43,100 ppm of lead.

2. A naked girl doll holding a yellow towel with 23,200 ppm of lead, 8,909 ppm chromium, 1,441 ppm arsenic and 655 ppm cadmium.

3. A black and yellow polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic boxing gloves with “SpongeBob Squarepants” design with 9,356 ppm of lead.

4.  An unlabeled rug doll with yellow PVC plastic dress with 7,014 ppm of lead.

5. A “Justice League Superman” stuffed toy with 6,735 ppm of lead, 2,415 ppm chromium, 271 ppm arsenic and 180 ppm antimony.

6. A  “Style Beauty Series” doll with 5,467 ppm of lead, 849 ppm chromium and 177 ppm arsenic.

7.  A red and green dragon with 5,207 ppm of lead.

8. A “Pocket Bola Pikachu” toy with 5,165 ppm of lead.

9.  A “Fashion Doll” wearing green PVC plastic dress with 5,027 ppm of lead.

10.  A “Ji Hua” jumping rope (green cord) with 4,279 ppm of lead.

As said by the World Health Organization (WHO), “lead exposure harms children at much lower doses, and the health effects are generally irreversible and can have a lifelong impact.”

Evidence of reduced intelligence due to childhood lead exposure has convinced WHO to list “lead-caused mental retardation” as a recognized disease.

To avoid buying toys that can pose a chemical hazard, the EcoWaste Coalition advised consumers to stay away from PVC toys that may contain lead and other toxic additives, avoid toys with strong chemical or perfumed smell and shun paint-coated toys unless certified as safe from lead.

The group further urged consumers to carefully read product labels, check for chemical safety and health information, and search for the License to Operate (LTO) number, an indicator that the toy manufacturer, importer or distributor has complied with the DOH’s documentary requirements.

DOH Administrative Order 2007-32 requires all locally produced and imported toys to state the following on their labels: a duly registered name and trademark, a model reference number, the name of the manufacturer or distributor, and the place, country and year of manufacture, as well as warnings and precautionary indications.

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Reference:

http://www.who.int/ceh/publications/childhoodpoisoning/en/

Newly-Installed Barangay Officials Urgedto Go Zero Waste to Solve Garbage Woes

(Photo Courtesy by Dennis Sabangan/EPA)
 

A waste and pollution watchdog today called on new barangay officials who will assume office starting tomorrow, 30 November, to take priority action to prevent and reduce waste generation and disposal in their respective communities.

“We call upon all newly-installed barangay captains and councilors to work together in building garbage and toxic-free communities that are healthier and safer for our children to live in,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Please take to heart the much-needed waste prevention and reduction efforts to rid our communities of wastes and toxins, which could also pave by the way for greater mass participation on matters pertaining to public health, the environment and the climate,” she said.

“Such barangay-led initiatives can save lots of public funds and open up decent employment and livelihood opportunities from the reuse, repair, recycling and composting of waste resources,” she stated.

“Considering the dire impacts of extreme weather disturbances due to climate change, it will be essential for all barangays to integrate Zero Waste into their community disaster preparedness and resilience programs so that trash is prevented and properly managed at all times, including during post-disaster clearing operations” she added.

To start with, the new barangay councils should conduct a critical review of their ecological solid waste management programs, reconstitute their solid waste management committee if needed, set progressive goals and targets, and strategize on how to improve current performance, including maximizing the vital role of the informal waste sector.

The EcoWaste Coalition lamented that Republic Act 9003 despite being signed in 2000 remained to be inadequately enforced.

Also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, R.A. 9003 provides for a comprehensive and eco-friendly approach to managing discards mainly through waste prevention, reduction, segregation at source, reuse, recycling and composting, excluding waste incineration.

R.A. 9003 specifically requires the country’s over 42,000 barangays to develop ecological solid waste management programs, promote waste separation at source, enforce a segregated collection for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, and establish Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in every barangay or cluster of barangays.

The MRFs, or Ecology Centers as they are also called, are essential in the ecological management of discards that would otherwise end up in storm drains and rivers aggravating flood problems, or get disposed of in dumpsites, landfills or incinerators resulting to the discharge of toxic leachate, greenhouse gases, persistent organic pollutants and other hazardous substances.

According to the website of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), there are only 9,611 MRFs nationwide serving 10,529 barangays, while 993 illegal dumpsites continue to operate.

As per data by the NSWMC, Metro Manila produces 8,400 to 8,600 tons of garbage daily, or about one fourth of the national daily waste generation of some 35,000 tons.

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Reference:

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9003.htm

http://121.58.235.163/nswmc2/