With the fast-approaching holiday season, toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics called on consumers to exercise caution when purchasing gift items, such as ceramic mugs, that may be tainted with harmful chemicals.
In a recent market surveillance, the group monitored and bought 12 samples of colorful mugs, including those sold for personalized gifts and printed ceramic mugs with various designs. These mugs were priced between P50 and P65 and were purchased from a street vendor and a bargain shop in Carriedo and Divisoria in Manila, and a general merchandise store in Quezon City. All the mugs were unlabeled and unboxed, raising concerns about potential chemical contamination.
The group tested the sample mugs using a Vanta C Series XRF Chemical Analyzer and discovered that all the mugs contained lead ranging from 61 parts per million (ppm) to 8,700 ppm and cadmium ranging from 56 ppm to 1,130 ppm. Further screening revealed that the high concentrations of lead and cadmium were found in the glazed or paint-coated designs.
The WHO factsheet on lead poisoning states, “Children who survive severe lead poisoning may be left with permanent intellectual disability and behavioural disorders. At lower levels of exposure that cause no obvious symptoms, lead is now known to produce a spectrum of injury across multiple body systems. In particular, lead can affect children’s brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes such as reduced attention span and increased antisocial behaviour, and reduced educational attainment.”
Cadmium, on the other hand, is known to have toxic effects on the kidneys, skeletal system, and respiratory system, and it is classified as a human carcinogen.
“Colorful and printed ceramic items such as mugs, plates, and similar products should be on the watchlist of regulatory agencies, as these popular items are commonly used by consumers, including children. The hazardous substances used in ceramic products pose a serious and immediate danger to public health and safety,” said Thony Dizon, Advocacy and Campaign Officer of BAN Toxics.
“We call on regulatory agencies to conduct post-market surveillance and testing of holiday gift mugs and other ceramic items being sold in the market and issue a health and safety advisory to guide consumers,” Dizon added.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued DAO 2013-24, the Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds, and DAO 2021-08, the Chemical Control Order for Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds. Both policies regulate, restrict, or prohibit the importation, manufacture, handling, processing, storage, sale, distribution, use, and disposal of toxic lead and cadmium. However, they do not cover glazed and/or paint-coated ceramic wares.
The group plans to submit the samples to the Chemicals Management Division of the EMB-DENR for further analysis and to advocate for policy amendments and regulatory action.
References:
https://chemical.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/DAO-2013-24-CCO-Lead.pdf
https://chemical.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DAO-2021-08-CCO-Cadmium.pdf
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