Manila: An environmental watchdog on Tuesday warned parents and students against the sale of insulated steel tumblers painted with high levels of lead, a toxic substance especially hazardous to children. A day after the official opening of classes in public schools, volunteers from the EcoWaste Coalition disclosed they bought some of these tumblers sold on the streets of Binondo and Quiapo in Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, the tumblers were subjected to X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, a scientific method used to quickly detect elemental composition. Findings revealed that 11 unbranded tumblers had exterior coatings containing lead concentrations well above the legal limit of 90 parts per million (ppm). A plain yellow-painted 600 milliliter (ml) tumbler registered 61,850 ppm of lead. Other tumblers in colors such as yellow (800 ml), orange, apple green, rust orange, army green, red, light green, and cream also tested positive for lead, with levels ranging from 47,270 ppm down to 1,532 ppm. Meanwhile, two cartoon-themed tumblers -- a red one featuring a car character and a pink one with a Hello Kitty design -- contained 4,500 ppm and 1,087 ppm of lead, respectively.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through its Chemical Control Order (CCO), has banned the use of lead in paints for decorative applications since 2016 and for industrial use since 2019. The CCO also prohibits the use of lead-containing paints in school supplies, toys, and other specified products. Despite the ban, the group expressed concern over the unregulated presence of lead-painted tumblers in the marketplace, warning of potential health hazards. It emphasized that the paint on these tumblers can deteriorate, flake, and chip off with frequent use. Consequently, this poses a serious risk of lead exposure -- especially among children -- when ingested.
Citing the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, the group noted that children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning due to their developing bodies absorbing the metal at four to five times the rate of adults. Lead exposure, even at low levels, has been linked to irreversible neurological damage, reduced IQ, behavioral issues, and cognitive delays. The World Health Organization (WHO) also reiterates that 'there is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects.'
The group urged the national government to designate a specific agency responsible for regulating lead in consumer products like tumblers and ensuring their removal from store shelves.
