They say it’s the thought that counts when it comes to presents, but toxics watch group EcoWaste Coalition reminds gift-givers on what products not to give this Christmas.
The group has identified holiday gift items sold from P150 and below that consumers should refrain from buying because of their undisclosed lead content.
Lead is a highly poisonous chemical that is known to cause irreparable and irreversible mental and physical impairment. Young children are most susceptible to the adverse effects of lead exposure as their brains and nervous systems are still developing.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2013-24 prohibits lead and lead compounds in the production of children’s toys, and sets a 90 parts per million (ppm) total lead content limit for lead in paint.
The EcoWaste Coalition procured several items from retailers in Divisoria, Manila and subsequently screened for lead content using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence analytical device.
Among the items found to contain lead above 90 ppm include: a red and yellow-coated “Naruto Shippuden” fidget spinner (198,900 ppm), a tall yellow-painted “Hi, I’m Monkey” vacuum flask (33,400 ppm), a short yellow-painted “Despicable Me” vacuum flask (28,600 ppm), a green “Mickey Mouse” glass cup (25,800 ppm), a yellow “Spongebob” glass cup (24,300 ppm), a “Wonderful” xylophone (9,696 ppm), “Kai Xin” laser toys (630 to 4,632 ppm), a mini-xylophone (1,994 ppm), “Funny Toys” lizards (1,885 ppm), and toy farm animals (1,161 ppm).
The items provided no information and warning about their lead content and were all inadequately labeled. The toys, in particular, lack the required market authorization from health authorities.
“It’s nice to give and receive gifts during this joyous season. However, not many of us are aware that we might be giving dangerous gifts laden with hazardous substances such as lead, which can result in intellectual disability, developmental problems, and other health woes,” said Thony Dizon, chemical safety campaigner for EcoWaste Coalition.
Additionally, the group advised consumers to avoid giving dolls, softballs, and squeaky toys that are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which may contain toxic additives such as lead stabilizers and phthalate plasticizers.