Asbestos-laden thermos openly sold

[ALU Associated Labor Unions-TUCP]

EcoWaste, TUCP: Eliminate sale of asbestos-laced consumer products

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People's Journal Published : Friday, January 24, 2014 00:00

Article Views : 336

Written by : Itchie G. Cabayan

ELIMINATE the sale of asbestos-containing consumer products in the market.

This call was jointly made yesterday on government by the Eco-Waste Coalition and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), as they stressed the need to expand the prohibition on the manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of consumer products that can expose consumers and workers to asbestos, a group of fibrous materials which they said can cause cancer.

Citing studies by the World Health Organization (WHO), they said “all types of asbestos causelung cancer,  mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and ovary, and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs).” 

Specifically, the group called on the Department of     Environment and Natural Resources to revise the Chemical Control Order for Asbestos to make it in sync with the global efforts led by the WHO and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to eradicate asbestos-related diseases.     

The CCO, adopted in January 2000, strictly prohibits the use of amosite (brown) and crocidolite (blue) asbestos fibers and of products containing these fibers, but permits the use of chrysolite (white) asbestos fibers in high density products.

The groups also called for the swift passage of House Bill 2638 which seeks to  minimize hazards to health and safety of workers, their families and the public due to asbestos exposure.

“Eliminating all uses of asbestos, especially in products used at home, school and workplace, should be urgently done to protect vulnerable sectors such as the children and workers from being exposed to asbestos in products, which are eventually discarded in bins and dumps and further exposing waste handlers and retrievers to sure hazard,” said coalition coordinator Thony Dizon.

The coalition made the call after discovering that China-made thermos flasks which were recently banned in Spain due to the presence of asbestos fibres in the dividers of the double glass wall of the product which could be inhaled and cause cancer if the glass container breaks and the asbestos board pads are handled, are currently being sold in the local market, particularly in Paco, Manila.   

“The product poses a chemical risk because of the presence of asbestos fibres in the separators of the double glass wall of the thermos flask. The product does not comply with the REACH Regulation,” stated the Spanish government as published in RAPEX’s Report 2014-2.       

From 2008 to date, Germany, Italy and Spain have recalled 34 types of consumer products due to their asbestos content, including 23 brands of thermos flask. Other asbestos-containing items recalled include five sky lanterns, three garden torches, a brake pad, a heat radiator and a tea maker.   

Citing information from the WHO, the groups said that “more than 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis resulting from occupational exposure.”