TAGUM CITY — A waste and pollution watchdog group said it found a high concentration of cancer-causing materials in several school supplies.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 24, EcoWaste Coalition warned the public to avoid school supplies that were made of polyvinyl chloride plastic, or those marked “PVC,” “V” or “3”, which contained an elevated concentrations of toxic phthalates, an endocrine disrupting chemicals.
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), according to the group.
The EcoWaste Coalition said it sent several materials to SGS, an international testing company, for phthalate analysis. The group said that phthalates can be absorbed by the human body through ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption.
The group said that school supplies subjected for phthalate analysis were obtained from Divisoria, Quiapo and Cubao. Out of five samples, four were found positive for toxic phthalates DEHP and/or DINP namely:
- A Cat Man ballpen with yellow PVC accessory, with 31.80 % DEHP
- A yellow PVC raincoat with tiger design, with 17.10 % DEHP and 0.13 % DINP
- A PVC plastic envelope with penguin design, with 13.10 % DEHP and 0.12 % DINP
- 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% were banned in the manufacturing of toys. While, phthalates DINP, DIDP and DNOP above 0.1% were 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.
“The unregulated use of PVC-based children’s products is not only a public health issue, but an environmental one as well. Burning PVC products at the end of their useful lives will generate extremely toxic pollutants known as dioxins,” Dizon warned.
“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.
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. (davaotoday.com)
