A group advocating for tighter regulation on vaping products and gadgets raised the alert on the alleged proliferation of vaping products that failed tests on formaldehyde.
The Safe Vape PH blew the whistle on the continued sale and distribution of the Flare vape brand despite the ban imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry. It said Flava changed its name to Flare to return to the market by using its huge black-market distribution channels.
It said the vape product was imported from China and widely distributed in the country.
A test report of Flare products issued by the testing agency shows that formaldehyde in its products is as high as 32.1mg/L, exceeding the maximum standard of 22mg/L by 31.1 percent.
Formaldehyde is a harmful substance that can cause a variety of health problems after long-term exposure. In the short term, it may irritate the eyes, nose and throat, causing dryness and discomfort.
Long-term inhalation of formaldehyde may cause respiratory diseases and even increase the risk of cancer. For teenagers, whose immune and respiratory systems are not yet fully developed, the harm of formaldehyde is particularly serious.
Flava, Flare’s predecessor, was the best-selling vapes in the Philippines. The Department of Trade and Industry suspended the sale of Flava vapes in the country, after its products failed to undergo legal certification procedures, professional testing on the composition and content of harmful substances.
The Safe Vape PH said the rapid development of the vape industry brought consumers a variety of choices, but while enjoying its convenience, users should not ignore the potential safety hazards.
Safe Vape PH urged concerned authorities to conduct stricter testing and supervision of vapes to protect the health rights and interests of users.
It said that when purchasing vapes, users should remain vigilant, pay attention to the ingredients and test results of the products and avoid taking potential health risks due to ignorance.
