EcoWaste Coalition Urges Toy Retailers to Stop Selling Benzene-Containing Plastic Balloon Blowing Kits
A non-profit watch group on harmful chemicals in children’s
products such as toys appealed to retailers to stop the sale of plastic balloon
blowing kits that may pose health hazards to children due to their benzene
content.
The EcoWaste Coalition made the appeal in light of the latest public health
warning by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against toy and child care
articles (TCCAs) such as plastic balloons that have not gone through the
required notification process and have not been issued the proper market
authorization by the agency.
On April 25, 2019, FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno issued FDA Advisory
2019-102 advising the public against buying and using J.H. Toy Lasting Friend
Space Balloon, Magic Balloon and Zestar Plastic Balloon. The advisory was uploaded to the FDA website
on April 30.
“All concerned establishments are warned not to distribute the above-identified
violative TCCA products until they have already been covered by the appropriate
authorization, otherwise, regulatory actions and sanctions shall be strictly
pursued,” the FDA said.
“All Local Government Units (LGUs) and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) are
requested to ensure that these products are not sold or made available in their
localities or areas of jurisdiction,” the FDA added.
To recall, the EcoWaste Coalition reported to the FDA on June 1, 2018 the
unlawful sale of the said unnotified plastic balloon blowing kits, which also
lack the mandatory labeling requirements as per Republic Act 10620, or the Toy
and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013.
The group bought samples of these plastic balloons from toy retailers in
Divisoria, Manila and had them screened for benzene at the East Avenue Medical
Center (EAMC) Poison Control Unit using a photoionization detector or PID.
The PID detected elevated levels of benzene
at 15,000 parts per million (ppm) in the solvent mixture of the analyzed
samples of plastic balloons, way above the 5 ppm limit under the European
Union’s regulation.
According to its material safety data sheet, benzene is “very hazardous in case
of inhalation” and “may cause adverse reproductive effects and birth defects,
may affect genetic material, and may cause cancer.”
Because of its toxicity, countries like Canada and Australia have banned plastic
balloon blowing kits with benzene in 1973 and 1979, respectively, to protect
their children against benzene exposure.
According to Health Canada: “Children can be fascinated with these products,
and if they blow balloons for extended periods they may experience early
symptoms of central nervous system depression or dysfunction, including
euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness, and difficulties with coordination of
voluntary movements. Prolonged exposure can lead to more serious symptoms
including muscular twitching, unconsciousness, and coma.”
“To protect our children against these poison toys, we reiterate our request to
the FDA to impose an outright ban on plastic balloon blowing kits and other
toys containing benzene,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner,
EcoWaste Coalition.
“The well-documented harmful effects of benzene, which is also a known
carcinogen, makes banning it in children’s toys a no-brainer,” he pointed out.
-end-
Reference:
https://www.fda.gov.ph/3410-2/
Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standards)
Regulations 1979 r.10, www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2004C00303
Toys Regulations SOR/2011-17 annexed in the Canada Consumer
Product Safety Act 2011 s.22, viewed 26 September 2016,
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2011-17/page-1.html#h-8
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2013/26843r-eng.php
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