Trade Regulators Urged to Order the Removal of Lead Coated Water Bottles from Store Shelves

To protect consumer health from a preventable source of lead exposure, an environmental health organization urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to act against the unlawful sale of metal water bottles coated with lead paint.

In an e-mail sent yesterday to DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, the EcoWaste Coalition, a group working for a zero waste and toxics-free society, reported the sale of such metal water bottles that are coated with lead paint above the 90 parts per million (ppm) limit as per the DENR A.O. 2013-24, or the Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds.  

“We urge the DTI to order the retailers of lead painted water bottles to cease and desist from selling these non-compliant products,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWast Coalition.  

“We further request the department to issue an advisory that will remind and enjoin manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, including those selling online, to only offer duly tested  and compliant lead-safe products,” he added.

The request for regulatory action came on the heels of the group’s detection of high concentrations of lead in the exterior coatings of nine metal water bottles bought from retail establishments in Caloocan, Makati, Mania, Pasay and Quezon Cities. 

“Some of the metal water bottles featured popular cartoon characters – an indicator that the products are being marketed for children’s use,” Dizon told Lopez.

“We are concerned that the surface coatings of these metal water bottles will break or chip over time due to regular use and wear and tear of the product.  The lead-containing paint chip or the dust contaminated with lead from paint may end up being ingested by a child, causing a health and safety hazard,” he said.   

With the aid of a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analytical device, total lead content in the range of 1,319 to 93,380 ppm was detected in nine out of 22 samples, exceeding the 90 ppm limit, which is also the recommended limit under the UN Model Law and Guidance for Regulating Lead Paint.

“Like the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), we urge the DTI to cause the removal of these lead coated water bottles from store shelves,” wrote Dizon to Lopez.

The KCA in August 2019 disclosed that the exterior surface of four paint-coated metal tumblers had lead paint ranging from 4,078 to 79,606 ppm, prompting concerned companies to recall these products from the market.  On the other hand, the CPSC in April 2018 recalled some 2,000 units of pink painted water bottles due to violation of the federal lead paint standard of 90 ppm, warning “lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.” 

As pointed out by the World Health Organization (WHO), which classifies lead as one of the 10 chemicals of major public health concern, “lead is toxic and is harmful to everyone,” stressing "there is no safe level of lead exposure." 

While lead is detrimental to all, “young children are most vulnerable,” according to the WHO, as “their nervous systems are still developing and they absorb 4-5 times more lead than adults, which can cause intellectual disability, underperforming at school and behavioral issues.”

Added the WHO: “In adults, lead exposure increases the risk of ischaemic heart disease and stroke.  In pregnant women, lead exposure damages many organs but also affects the developing fetus.”

Reference:
https://chemical.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/DAO-2013-24-CCO-Lead.pdf
https://www.kca.go.kr/eng/sub.do?menukey=6007&mode=view&no=1002834637&page=3
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/base-brands-recalls-water-bottles-due-to-violation-of-lead-paint-standard-recall-alert
https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/publication/model-law-and-guidance-regulating-lead-paint
https://www.who.int/images/default-source/infographics/lead-paint-and-health/fact-lead-is-toxic-en.jpg?Status=Temp&sfvrsn=4760ce1d_21