Fwd: [ipenlistserve] Chemicals in Children's Products Study: Results from the Philippines (EcoWaste-IPEN Collaboration)

[yuyun ismawati]

FYI

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bjorn Beeler <bjorn...@ipen.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 6:34 AM
Subject: [ipenlistserve] Chemicals in Children's Products Study: Results from the Philippines (EcoWaste-IPEN Collaboration)
To: IPEN Network Network <ipenn...@npogroups.org>

Dear IPENers,

 

I am pleased to inform you of the results from an EcoWaste Coalition – IPEN collaboration related to sampling children’s products for chemicals in the Philippines this week.

 

This study -so far- has measured toxic metals in 200 children’s products in Manila, Philippines with a focus on antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. Measurements were performed using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF).

 

The results are online at: http://ipen.org/toxicproducts/  

 

Approximately 30% of the products contained at least one toxic metal above levels of concern. The data revealed 37 products (19%) that contained lead at or above the US regulatory limit. Twenty-seven samples (14%) contained more than one toxic metal. The study also found children’s toy cosmetics with mercury levels 4 – 5 times higher than the regulatory limit in the Philippines. The findings raise safety concerns for exposure in children and highlight the need for protective national regulatory policies. To our knowledge, this is the first publicly available investigation of toxic metals in children’s products in the Philippines.

 

The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines has already released a press release, which endorses the EcoWaste-IPEN Study, see: http://www.bfad.gov.ph/cfc/pdf.cfm?pdfid=1672

 

Please also see the EcoWaste Press Release below, and further information on their website:

http://ecowastecoalition.blogspot.com/2011/07/ecowaste-coalitions-study-bares-toxic.html

Yesterday, EcoWaste convened a press conference (see photo), and it resulted in broad media coverage of this Study in the Philippines.

 

We will be collecting additional samples and posting results online as they become available at: http://ipen.org/toxicproducts/products-tested/  

 

 

Best,

Bjorn

 

EcoWaste Coalition

Unit 329, Eagle Court, 26 Matalino St., 1101 Quezon City, Philippines

Phone/Fax: 4411846 E-Mail: in...@ecowastecoalition.org

Website: www.ecowastecoalition.org

Press Release

EcoWaste Coalition’s Study Bares Toxic Ingredients in Children’s 

Products

(as FDA endorses research survey, enjoins industry to produce toxic-free products)

20 July 2011, Quezon City. A toxic watchdog today released the results of the first ever

public investigation of toxic metals in children’s products such as toys, cosmetics and

accessories in the Philippines.

At a press conference held in Quezon City, the EcoWaste Coalition through its “State of

the Toys Analysis” (SOTA) revealed that 30% of the 200 imported, as well as locallymade,

children’s products bought from a variety of shops and locations in Metro Manila

tested with at least one toxic metal above levels of concern.

However, some 70% of the products did not contain toxic metals (or contained low

levels of them), indicating the technical feasibility of manufacturing safe products that do

not expose children to toxic metals, the group reported.

The chemical analysis conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition in collaboration with the

International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) shows that antimony, arsenic, cadmium,

chromium, lead and mercury can be found in toys and other children's products for sale

in bargain stores in Baclaran and Divisoria, "ukay-ukay" shops and even in giant

shopping malls in the metropolis.

The findings were disclosed ahead of the “State of the Nation Address” (SONA) by

President Benigno Aquino III in the hope of pushing the government to adopt the

protection of children from harm posed by toxic substances as a priority goal.

Of the 200 samples, 37 products (19%) were found in violation of the US regulatory limit

for lead, a neurotoxin with no safe level of exposure, with values ranging from 90 parts

per million (ppm) to over 12,000 ppm.

The lead-tainted products included a variety of cars and dolls, fake food items which

invited chewing, cosmetics that are applied directly to the skin and floor matting which

commonly used to cushion areas where infants play.

The study also found three children's cosmetic products containing mercury, another

notorious neurotoxin, at levels significantly higher than the regulatory limit in the

Philippines of 1 ppm, ranging from 4 to 77 ppm. The products included lipstick and eye

shadows designed to be applied directly to the lips and skin.

Visiting American scientist Dr. Joseph Di Gangi conducted the tests from July 17 to 19,

2011 using a portable X-Ray Flourescence (XRF) analyzer that is widely used by the

private sector and regulatory agencies such as the US Environmental Protection

Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“The findings raise valid safety concerns for toxic exposure among children and send a

strong signal to the toy industry to shape up, phase out harmful chemicals in their

products and shift to safer ingredients,” stated DiGangi, IPEN Science and Policy

Adviser.

For his part, Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect

appealed to the business community not to engage in production, trade and sale of toys

and other children’s products containing toxic metals and other injurious substances

such as those listed on the “Priority Chemical List” of the country.

The effort of the EcoWaste Coalition and IPEN to generate data and seek industry

reforms drew immediate support from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the lead

agency that regulates toys and other children's products.

In a statement read by her representative, Dr. Suzette Lazo, FDA Director, said that the

agency “continues to work towards strengthening its capability and processes

consistent with its relentless quest to achieve toxic-free products.”

“Recognizing the vital role of non-government organizations (NGOs), the FDA

acknowledges every effort including activities that can aid the agency in establishing

data to justify regulatory actions,” she stated.

“The FDA, thus, endorses initiatives of EcoWaste Coalition and IPEN, both NGOs, in

conducting a research survey on the presence of toxic elements in consumer products

especially those critical to vulnerable groups of the society such as children,” Dr. Lazo

said.

Dr. Lazo also noted “the availability of breakthrough technology that can quickly and

accurately test for the presence of harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium,

chromium and arsenic in consumer products can significantly boost monitoring efforts

and prevent unsafe products from being marketed to unsuspecting consumers.”

“The FDA hereby enjoins every manufacturer, importers, distributors and retailers to be

more aware of safety issues and to exercise extraordinary diligence in their manufacture

and distribution of products under their stewardship by assuring that these are free of

harmful chemicals,” she stressed.

The FDA further encouraged consumers to be more vigilant and report to the agency at

telephone number 8078275 or the nearest DOH-Center for Health Development (CHD)

or the Health Offices of Local Government Units (LGUs) any product suspected to be

hazardous to health for appropriate action.

-end-

 

CONSUMER SAFETY FIRST: Toxic watchdogs EcoWaste Coalition and IPEN urge the

industry to phase out the use of lead, mercury and other dangerous chemicals in toys

and other children’s products and switch to safer ingredients that will not jeopardize the

health and safety of Filipino children and the environment.

PLAY SAFE: Children play with safer toys in a play pen during a press conference

beside pushcarts of toys tainted with toxic chemicals, as the EcoWaste Coalition and

IPEN seek greater industry responsibility in disclosing and removing harmful

substances in their products to protect children from harm.

KALIGTASAN NG KONSYUMER UNA SA LAHAT: Magkatambal na nanawagan ang

EcoWaste Coalition at IPEN na tanggalin ang tingga, asoge at iba pang peligrosong

kemikal sa mga laruan at iba pang produktong pambata upang hindi makapaminsala sa

kalusugan at kaligtasan ng kabataang Pilipino at ng kalikasan.

LIGTAS NA PAGLALARO: Naglalaro ang mga bata ng mga ligtas na laruan habang

mistulang nagbabanta ang mga peligrosong laruang nasa mga pushcart sa pagtitipon

ng EcoWaste Coalition at IPEN para sa ligtas na mga produktong pambata.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

EcoWaste Coalition-IPEN Recommendations for the Industry, the Government and

Consumers:

FOR THE INDUSTRY:

! Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers should not engage in the trade

and sale of toys and other children’s products that contain chemicals on the Philippines

Priority Chemical List or other substances of concern

! Manufacturers and formulators should immediately phase out lead and other toxic

chemicals and shift to safer ingredients

! Manufactures should actively generate and disclose the chemical content of

children’s products as a condition for sale in the Philippines

! Manufacturers should facilitate and ensure consumers’ “right to know” about

chemicals in products including labeling to promote consumer choice

! Toy shops and vendors should insist on chemical content information from

manufacturers and not sell the products if the information is not provided

! Manufacturers should promote the design and development of safer children’s

products using green design, safe natural materials, and green chemistry

FOR THE GOVERNMENT:

! Issue an advisory that urges manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers

to prioritize safety issues and ensure that products are free of harmful chemicals

! Review and upgrade the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 0032,

Series of 2007 to strengthen licensing, testing, labeling, packaging and other

requirements, including explicit prohibition on lead and other dangerous substances

! The appropriate committee of the Senate or House of Representatives to call for

an inquiry in aid for legislation that will lead to the drafting and enactment of a law

protecting children from toxic substances in products which requires disclosure of the

chemical content of products as a condition for sale in the Philippines

! Regulate the sale of new or used imported toys sold in “ukay-ukay” second-hand

shops or surplus stores to block the entry of unregistered, untested and unlabeled toys.

This may involve a request to exporting countries for prior informed consent on

substances of concern before shipment

! Fast track the adoption of the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for lead, lead

compounds, and preparations and articles containing lead, including establishing a

mandatory standard that will clearly and intentionally disallow the use of lead in paint in

excess of 90 ppm on toys and other children’s articles such as accessories, school

supplies and other items intended for children.

! Prohibit, limit or place such controls and conditions through the issuance of CCOs

for chemicals in the Philippine Priority Chemical List such as arsenic, cadmium,

chromium, lead, mercury, and other substances of concern

! Work with civil society organizations to conduct a continuing public information

drive to educate local government officials, consumers and other stakeholders about the

risks posed by toxic chemicals in children’s products, and the need for consumers to

assert their rights to truthful product information and to safety from products that are

hazardous to health and life as enshrined in Republic Act 7394, the Consumer Act of the

Philippines.

! Develop an eco-label system for children’s products that have undergone and

passed appropriate testing and analysis for lead and other priority chemicals of concern

by government accredited laboratories and those under the Mutual Recognition

Arrangement (MRA).

! Reiterate and strengthen the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) Advisory No. 05,

Series of 1999 on phthalates, warning that “phthalates may cause adverse health

effects such as liver and kidney wounds, reproductive abnormalities and immune

system defects” and calling on manufacturers and retailers to halt the sale of infant

children’s toys, including infant care products, made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

FOR CONSUMERS:

! Emphasize use of products made from safe natural materials

! Read product labels to look for chemical safety and health information and insist

on adequate product labeling as a fundamental part of “right to know”

! Support legislation requiring the disclosure of chemical content as a condition for

sale of children’s products

! Urge Congressional Representatives to make legislation protecting children from

toxic substances in products a priority action in the 15th Congress

! Urge President Benigno S. Aquino III to make protection of Filipino children from

harm caused by toxic chemicals a priority goal for his administration

NOTE: Email address change to  Bjorn...@ipen.org Please update your address book, as previous email addresses to me will be closed 

______________________________

Björn Beeler

IPEN International Coordinator

www.ipen.org  

Climate & POPs:  Read the UNEP/AMAP Report "Climate change and POPs: Predicting the Impacts," to learn how climate change is re-mobilizing POPs in the environment. IPEN CoChair co-authored the Chapter on Policy Recommendations. Download the report: www.IPEN.org 

IPEN, Working Together for a Toxics-Free Future

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Yuyun Ismawati
IPEN Lead for mercury in ASGM
BALIFOKUS Foundation, Advisor
Indonesia Toxics-Free Network, Coordinator
Skype ID:  yuyun.ismawati