REP. ANTHONY G. DEL ROSARIO (1ST District, Davao del Norte) has called for a congressional inquiry into the proliferation of toxic and hazardous toys and school supplies in the country.
Del Rosario, who proposed House Resolution 1669, said the mere contact with the dangerous toys and schools supplies could result to various ailments for children.
He said children could suffer neurological disorders, lack of muscular coordination, convulsions and coma, hyperacidity, deficits in fine motor function, hand-eye coordination and reaction time, lowered intelligence performance, respiratory and reproductive failure, kidney and skin problems and even cancer are just among the health effects of these toxic materials.
“There is a need for Congress to seriously consider the alarming proliferation of these hazardous toys and school supplies because these elements can cause several health problems to children,” Del Rosario said.
The lawmaker from Davao del Norte said there is a need to look into the current regulatory framework and guiding statutory principles that will address the issues of product toxicity and labeling of toys and school supplies for the protection of the children.
Citing a report from environmental groups EcoWaste Coalition and International Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Elimination Network, Del Rosario said 30 percent of the 200 local and imported toys sourced from different toy shops were tested positive of at least one toxic metal while some even contained more.
Del Rosario urged the appropriate House committee to investigate the proliferation of toxic and hazardous toys and school supplies and recommend improvements, amend current statutes or legislating new laws to address the issue.
“Maybe mechanisms for monitoring the manufacturing, importation and distribution of toys and school supplies in the market must be put in place,” he said.
Del Rosario said there have been reports of proliferation of school supplies made of polyvinyl chloride which contain additives like phthalates mainly used as plasticizers for manufacturing toys and child care articles.
He said six toxic metals in the groups’ Priority Chemical List such as lead, antimony, cadmium, mercury, chromium and arsenic were discovered in the toys being tested.
“Inadequate labeling of products and lack of consumer awareness expose the public, particularly the children, to the harmful effects of these toxic substances present in toys and school supplies,” Del Rosario said.
