Popular Christmas gift items such as painted toys, glasses and mugs tested positive with nasty chemicals known for damaging a child's brain - and future!
"This is the outrageous truth that we have discovered after subjecting 50 product samples to chemical analysis." lamented Thony Dizon, coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition's Project Protect.
"64 percent or 32 of the 50 samples we tested contain mind boggling amounts of toxic metals such as lead that are totally unacceptable for products meant to spread Christmas cheer," he said.
Toxicologist Dr. Bessie Antonio, a resource person o the EcoWaste Coalition, said lead in consumer products can endanger human health, especially among kids."
"Lead exposure can damage the brain, lower a child's intelligence, decrease a child's attention span and cause delays in a child's speaking, reading and learning skills", added Antonio, who is also the President of the Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology.
In its latest investigation on the toxicity of children's products in the market, the EcoWaste Coalition bought a variety of affordable toys and gift items from street vendors at Carriedo Street in Quiapo, Rizal Avenue, Santa Cruz and Juan Luna Street, Divisoria in the city of Manila.
The probe, conducted amid brisk sales of holiday goodies as Christmas nears, was also arranged to draw attention to the UN-recognized rights of children's to health and safety as the "Universal Children's Day" is observed on November 20.
The samples, mostly imported from China. were bought and tested for heavy material. None of the products indicated toxic ingredients on their labels, which were generally incomplete or totally lacking.
Merry Christmas!
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