Watchdog urges recall of toxic school supplies in the country

BAN Toxics, a watchdog group, has raised urgent concerns about harmful chemicals found in children's products, particularly school supplies, and is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mandate a recall to protect children from toxic exposure.

The group conducted tests on 12 school items, including backpacks, water containers, pencils, and erasers, purchased from Manila, Pasay, and Quezon City. Using a Vanta C Series HH XRF Analyzer, they found dangerously high levels of lead in two samples: 11,900 parts per million (ppm) in a kiddie backpack and 48,000 ppm in a water container. None of the supplies had complete product information or warning labels.

"Given that lead use in school supplies is prohibited and poses a significant risk to children's health, we urge the FDA to immediately review, ban, recall, and withdraw these products," said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics.

The group emphasized the need for strict enforcement of regulations on harmful chemicals in children's products. They called on retailers to remove unregistered and non-compliant products from their shelves and urged the Philippine government to enact laws ensuring safe and non-hazardous children's products, with transparency in chemical use and strict product labeling standards.

In 2018, the FDA issued a public health warning about school supplies containing high levels of heavy metals, such as lead. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has highlighted that lead exposure in children can lead to long-term health issues, including neurological damage and developmental delays.

BAN Toxics recommends that the national government enact legislation to prohibit hazardous chemicals in children's products, establish consumer action centers for product verification, and ensure manufacturers comply with regulations and transition to non-toxic materials. They also advise consumers to check labels, seek FDA certification, avoid potentially toxic materials, and report non-compliant products to regulatory agencies.

This advocacy is part of BAN Toxics' Toxic-Free and Waste-Free School Program (TFSP), which aims to encourage schools to adopt safe chemical and waste management practices, protecting students and faculty from harmful effects. (PR)