EcoWaste Coalition: Probable Human Carcinogen Found in Some PVC Plastic School Supplies
A waste and pollution watchdog group
advised the public to steer clear of school supplies containing cancer-causing
and endocrine disrupting chemicals as consumers take advantage of
“back-to-school” promotional sales.
The EcoWaste Coalition made the suggestion at a press briefing held today to
announce the test results of some items that the group bought and sent to SGS,
an international testing company, for phthalate analysis. Toxicologist
Dr. Erle Castillo was on hand to shed light on potential health effects of
phthalates to children's health.
The group specifically told consumers to avoid school supplies made of
polyvinyl chloride plastic, or those marked “PVC,” “V” or “3”, which may
contain elevated concentrations of toxic phthalates (pronounced as THAL-ates).
Phthalates, a class of plasticizers added to PVC to render it soft and
flexible, are known to disrupt the body’s hormonal systems. DEHP,
one of the two types of phthalates found in the samples, is classified as a “probable
human carcinogen” by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Phthalates are absorbed by the human body through
ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption.
Out
of five samples of seemingly harmless school supplies obtained from retail
outlets in Divisoria, Quiapo and Cubao, four were found positive for toxic
phthalates DEHP and/or DINP, namely:
1. A Cat Man ballpen with yellow PVC accessory, with 31.80 % DEHP
2. A yellow PVC raincoat with tiger design, with 17.10 % DEHP and 0.13 % DINP
3. A PVC plastic envelope with penguin design, with 13.10 % DEHP and 0.12 %
DINP
4. A PVC Princess Mica shoulder bag, with 1.87 % DEHP and 0.16 % DINP
The fifth item, a plastic ID holder with Minion design, passed
the laboratory test.
According to the Department of Health Administrative Order
2009-0005-A as amended in 2011, phthalates DEHP, DBP and BBP in
concentrations exceeding 0.1% are banned in the manufacturing of
toys. On the other hand, phthalates DINP, DIDP and DNOP above 0.1%
are banned in toys that can be placed in a child’s mouth.
“DEHP and DINP are restricted in children’s toys not only in the Philippines,
but also in Europe and the US. So why are we finding them in very
high concentrations in school supplies, which, like toys, are directly handled
and used by children?,” asked Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste
Coalition’s Project Protect.
Last year, the group reported finding high levels of DEHP and/or DINP in two
backpacks, two raingears and one lunch bag, as well as in two kiddie boxing
gloves and two swimming toys.
“For the health of our kids and the ecosystems, we ask our parents to buy
PVC-free school supplies. At the same time, we ask the government to
extend the ban on toxic phthalates in toys to all children’s products,
including childcare articles and school supplies,” he added.
According to a booklet published by the Endocrine Society and IPEN, “phthalate
exposure is linked to genital abnormalities in boys, reduced sperm counts,
decreased ‘male typical’ play in boys, endometriosis and elements of metabolic
disruption, including obesity.”
Information from the US EPA stated, “children have been reported as having the
highest exposures to phthalates, and that their exposures are often greater
than those in adults…due to increased intakes of food, water and air on a
bodyweight basis, as well as children’s unique exposure pathways such as
mouthing of objects and ingestion of non-food items.”
To
prevent exposures to phthalates via school supplies, the
EcoWaste Coalition advised consumers to heed the following
“Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies”:
1. Avoid school supplies made vinyl plastic or PVC plastic, or those marked “3,” “V” or”PVC.”
2. Avoid backpacks with shiny plastic designs as they often contain
PVC and may contain lead.
3. Avoid modelling clays made of PVC.
4. Avoid notebooks containing metal spirals with colored plastic
coating that may contain PVC.
5. Avoid metal paper clips coated with PVC plastic.
The EcoWaste Coalition also appealed to all manufacturers of school supplies
and other children’s products to switch to non-PVC materials and to disclose
the chemical ingredients of their products, as well as to provide health and
safety instructions and warnings for the guidance of consumers.
NOTE:
Places of purchase and prices of the items:
1. Cat Man ballpen, SM Department Store, Quiapo, Manila, P29.75
2. Yellow raincoat with tiger design, Taliba Marketing, Juan Luna St., Divisoria, Manila, P200.00
3. Plastic envelope with penguin design, National Book Store, Lucky Chinatown Mall, P134.00
4. Princess Mica shoulder bag, National Book Store, Alimall, Cubao, Quezon City, P135.00
Reference:
doh.gov.ph/ais_public/aopdf/ao2009-0005-A.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/eth-phth.html
http://www.ipen.org/documents/introduction-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-edcs
http://www.chej.org/publications/PVCGuide/PVCfree.pdf
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