EcoWaste Coalition Warns of Cadmium Pollution due to Unregulated Use of Tarpaulins



As the government’s “Operation Baklas” against illegal poll  campaign materials continues, an environmental watchdog group highlighted the lack of regulation to restrict cadmium, a cancer-causing substance, in plastic tarpaulins.

“Plastic tarpaulins have become extremely popular for all types of advertising and promotion.  The use of tarps by politicians running for the May polls is a case in point,” observed Aileen Lucero, Coordinator,
EcoWaste Coalition.

“But, the problem goes beyond the huge volume of tarps hanging on unauthorized places like bridges, cables, lamp posts and trees that have to be laboriously removed by MMDA or DPWH workers,” she noted.

“Most tarps, especially those made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, contain hazardous additives such as cadmium, a carcinogenic substance that is among the ‘10 chemicals of major public health concern’ of the World Health Organization (WHO),” she said.

Lucero cited the results of the chemical screening conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition on 300 pieces of campaign tarps from various national and local candidates that were among those removed by the MMDA from illegal sites.

All of the 300 tarps were found to contain cadmium in the range of  697 to 1,921 parts per million (ppm), way above the European Union’s 100 ppm limit for cadmium in plastics.

“While developed economies have adopted measures to ban cadmium in all plastics, the Philippines has yet to follow suit,” she said.

Lucero  cited the European Commission Regulation No. 494/2011, which prohibits manufacturers from  placing mixtures and articles produced from plastic material containing cadmium “equal to or greater than 0,01 % by weight,” or 100 ppm.

 "We need to ban the intentional use of cadmium-based pigments and stabilizers in all plastics, including tarps and packaging materials, to protect the public health and reduce the amount of cadmium that enters the waste streams, which, at the end of the day, will get dispersed into the environment,” she said.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), “products containing cadmium are not typically collected separately from the general waste stream in developing countries. Therefore cadmium discards will end up in municipal waste and disposed of in landfills, incineration, open burning or indiscriminate dumping.”

“Some of the cadmium in these products will be released to the environment, the extent of which depends on disposal method, control technologies applied and other factors,” UNEP said.

Scientific studies have linked long-term exposure to cadmium to high blood pressure, age-related macular degeneration, and cancer of the breast, lung and kidney, which is considered the critical target organ for toxicity of cadmium in humans,

Cadmium is classified as “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).


To decrease global environmental cadmium releases and reduce occupational and environmental exposure to cadmium and associated health effects, the WHO has recommended, among other things, the “(reduction) as far as is practicable emissions of cadmium—particularly into surface waters.”

The WHO has likewise recommended the development of techniques for the safe disposal of cadmium-containing wastes and effluents.

As part of its chemical safety and zero waste advocacy, the EcoWaste Coalition hoped to collaborate with the government and the industry in crafting a regulation that will prevent and reduce cadmium releases into the environment and protect the public health.

-end-
Reference:



Comments

SEOExperts said…
Nice Information Thanks For sharing Very helpful.Our tarpaulins cover sheets, various sizes and strengths. Large tarps and tarpaulins for sale from a trusted UK supplier for tarpaulinsuk.UK. Buy online today
Curry said…
Highly beneficial information particularly the last part. I take care of this kind of information much. I was seeking this specific information for a long time. Thanks and good luck.
Tarpaulin Suppliers In India
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tarpaulin Direct UK deals in Clear Tarpaulins and we are here to help customers in selecting and buying different types of tarpaulins. Our services are the best among all. We are the best product providers.
Tarpaulin Hub said…
Awesome and interesting article. Great things you've always shared with us. Thanks. Just continue composing this kind of post. Heavy Weight Tarpaulins
Tarpaulin Hub said…
We deal with multiple types of Heavy Weight Tarpaulins that can meet customer requirements. Medium Weight Tarpaulins are available in multiple colors and sizes. Economy Tarpaulins ​are manufactured with woven Polyethylene and are available at reasonable prices along with reliability and strength
Tarpaulin Hub said…
Clear Tarpaulins would be great as a temporary outdoor shelter for plants, flowers, and vegetable gardens. They are best to withstand bad weather conditions.
Ricky Mesy said…
Thanks for sharing this blog. High Purity Aluminum & Compounds - Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) Sales support, pricing and literature for Industrial uses.
Cesium Iodide ( CsI)
Bredly Fenz said…
Nice article, the information you have shared here is really helpful, keep sharing them.
High purity Sulfur
Ander Son said…
You made a lot of fair observations. While I don't line up fully with your conclusions, I definitely walked away with more to reflect on. Thoughtful exploration of multiple facets to a multifaceted subject.
heavy duty tarpaulin