Articles worth reading

iACADEMY, DigiPlus to revolutionize game development education 

account_balanceMakati access_time5 days ago

iACADEMY, a frontrunner in innovative education, is poised to embark on an unprecedented venture with DigiPlus, a renowned retail gaming provider. On September 12, 2023, the two industry leaders convened to formalize an inspiring partnership that pro...

iACADEMY's offers journey of creativity and innovation 

account_balanceMakati access_time5 days ago

iACADEMY believes that in order to get different results one must try and do something different. Known for its strong industry partnerships that deliver 96% placement rate, iACADEMY is delighted to showcase student works and extend a warm invitation...

Facebook urged to remove sellers of prohibited mercury products 

account_balanceMetro Manila access_time5 days ago

In the recent online market monitoring conducted by BT Patrollers of BAN Toxics, the group has monitored 18 sellers of liquid mercury, and more than 100 sellers of mercury-added skin lightening products that are prohibited under the Chemical Control ...

Metro News

Chain store takes toxic baby bibs off the shelves 

account_balanceMetro News account_circleMichael Lim chat_bubble_outline0 Comments

The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition commended a popular chain store for removing a child care product that has been found to contain a banned plastic chemical.

“We laud MR. D.I.Y. for heeding our request for action to protect babies from being exposed to a hazardous plastic chemical banned in child care articles,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

The group had earlier notified the chain store that the white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic sheet of the MR. D.I.Y.  Plastic Baby Bib was found to contain di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) measured at 86,700 parts per million (ppm) as per laboratory analysis.

Advertisement

“To prevent a child's exposure to DEHP, we respectfully request the management of MR. D.I.Y. to immediately stop the sale of MR. D.I.Y. PVC Plastic Baby Bibs and to return the remaining stocks to their supplier for environmentally sound disposal,” the group wrote. “MR. D.I.Y.'s customers who have bought the said bibs will surely appreciate getting a refund or having the toxic bibs in question replaced with safer bibs,” it further said.

DEHP belongs to a family of industrial chemicals called phthalates, which are added to some plastics like PVC to make them flexible and soft.  DEHP, an endocrine disrupting chemical or EDC, is known to cause cancer in animals. 

As explained by environmental health specialist Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol of the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, “exposure to phthalates and other EDCs even in tiny amounts can disrupt the essential functions of the endocrine system and lead to hormonal imbalances, which may result in reduced intellectual capacity, reproductive disorders, weakened immune system, and other behavioral and health issues.”


The US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) bans DEHP in concentrations greater than 0.1 % or 1,000 ppm in children's toys and child care articles.  Aside from bibs, other child care articles covered by the ban include children's infant and toddler bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups, sleepwear, teethers.

DEHP, along with five other phthalates, in concentrations above 0.1%  is also banned in children's toys as per the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2009-0005-A as amended in 2011.

Advertisement

Aside from the plastic baby bib, laboratory tests also detected banned phthalates in other child care articles purchased by the EcoWaste Coalition from other retailers, including the plastic lining of reusable baby panty with 14.3 percent DEHP and a baby diaper changing mat with 8.62 percent diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and 0.325 percent DEHP.

The EcoWaste Coalition is pushing for an expanded ban on toxic phthalates in all children's goods such as toys, baby products, school supplies and the like.

"Strengthened and expanded regulations, including chemical ingredient transparency, are needed to protect fetuses and children from phthalates and other EDCs in products and the environment," the group said.


date_rangeDate Published
4 months ago
shareShare article
folder_openArticle tags
content_copyCategorized under

Share your thoughts with us

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of Basilio Sepe / Greenpeace

Malabon students showcase creative box cars

account_balanceMalabon chrome_reader_mode4 days ago

As part of Mobility Week, students in Malabon City showcased their ingenuity and commitment to environmental sustainability in a Box Car Making Contest. The event not only celebrated their creativity but also underscored their support for sustainable...

Manila Reiterates Safety Measures in Divisoria Meeting

account_balanceManila chrome_reader_mode1 week ago

Manila City - In a proactive move to ensure the safety and orderliness of one of Manila's bustling commercial hubs, the City Government of Manila, led by Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, recently held a meeting with over 500 market vendors and stall ow...

Caloocan Joins Kasuotang Pilipino Celebration in a Show of Pride for Filipino Heritage

account_balanceCaloocan chrome_reader_mode1 week ago

Caloocan City - In a heartfelt display of unity and cultural pride, Caloocan City took part in the annual "Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino" celebration, which traditionally falls on the third week of September. Mayor Along Malapitan led the ci...

Comelec vows to ensure transparent machine procurement 

account_balanceMetro Manila chrome_reader_mode3 days ago

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday assured transparency and inclusivity on the procurement of machines needed for the 2025 midterm elections, according to a report by Philippine News Agency. The poll body issued the statement after a re...

×
Click on the article to continue reading
Quezon City adopts no contact apprehension system Red Cross pushes saliva test Vaccines from COVAX to arrive in Q1 Makati Shangri-La to close doors on Feb. 1 Cities in NCR to start vaccination simultaneously Mother, girlfriend of Filipino infected with UK variant also test positive Send Press Release MNC Facebook Page MNC Twitter Page MNC Instagram Page LGU Spotlight Barangay Front Business Sports Entertainment Metro Gen Metro Feature