Group cautions consumers anew from purchasing toxic toys
By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Dec 1 (PNA) -- That superhero action figure would seem like the perfect gift for a son or nephew, but an environmental group on Sunday cautioned consumers from buying the items anew, among other toys, especially as they may be toxic.
The EcoWaste Coalition noted that to avoid buying toys that can pose a chemical hazard, consumers should stay away from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) toys that may contain lead and other toxic additives.
Consumers should avoid toys with strong chemical or perfumed smell and shun paint-coated toys unless certified as safe from lead, the group said.
The group also urged consumers to carefully read product labels, check for chemical safety and health information, and search for the License to Operate (LTO) number, an indicator that the toy manufacturer, importer or distributor has complied with the Department of Health’s documentary requirements.
Based on tests conducted by EcoWaste, one or more toxic metals were found present in 217 out of 450 toy samples procured between September to November 2013.
These toys were being sold in both formal and non-formal retailers in the cities of Manila, Parañaque, Pasay and Quezon, the group stated.
Toxic chemicals like antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury above levels of concern in the 217 samples, or 48 pct of the toys analyzed, it added.
A total of 176 out of the 217 tainted toys were found to contain lead, a brain damaging toxin, at levels way above the US limit of 90 parts per million for lead in paint and surface coatings.
According to EcoWaste, lead exposure result in mental retardation, learning difficulties, lower intelligence quotient scores, growth delays, behavioral problems anemia, hearing loss and kidney injury.
The following are the top ten toy samples found by the EcoWaste that consumers should not patronize or give to kids:
1. An unlabeled yellow painted play chair with “Winnie the Pooh†design with 43,100 ppm of lead.
2. A naked girl doll holding a yellow towel with 23,200 ppm of lead, 8,909 ppm chromium, 1,441 ppm arsenic and 655 ppm cadmium.
3. A black and yellow polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic boxing gloves with “SpongeBob Squarepants†design with 9,356 ppm of lead.
4. An unlabeled rag doll with yellow PVC plastic dress with 7,014 ppm of lead.
5. A “Justice League Superman†stuffed toy with 6,735 ppm of lead, 2,415 ppm chromium, 271 ppm arsenic and 180 ppm antimony.
6. A “Style Beauty Series†doll with 5,467 ppm of lead, 849 ppm chromium and 177 ppm arsenic.
7. A red and green dragon with 5,207 ppm of lead.
8. A “Pocket Bola Pikachu†toy with 5,165 ppm of lead.
9. A “Fashion Doll†wearing green PVC plastic dress with 5,027 ppm of lead, and
10. A “Ji Hua†jumping rope (green cord) with 4,279 ppm of lead. (PNA)
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