By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, (PNA) — Enviromental Group, the EcoWaste Coalition, on Sunday cautioned the public against buying Halloween products in various retail outlets in Metro Manila, including leading department stores and bargain shopping malls.
EcoWaste Coalition said, “Halloween costumes, decors, masks, props, candy containers and body and face paint are nothing to be afraid of, but once you find out they’re toxic—that’s where the real scare is.”
According to EcoWaste, they discovered that out of the 90 Halloween products they purchased, 20 (22 pct) were found to contain at least one toxic metal above regulatory limits.
The group warned the public as these products, worth P20 to P200 each can easily be bought in various retail outlets in Manila and Quezon Cities, including leading department stores and bargain shopping malls.
“Instead of adding excitement and fun to the celebration, these products may in fact endanger children’s health,” Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect, Thony Dizon said in a statement.
One of the most common toxins, lead, was detected in 18 samples above the allowable limit of 90 parts per million (ppm).
The 10 Halloween products with the highest levels of lead include (1) a “horror spider” with 3,987 ppm of lead, (2) a green pumpkin pail with 2,730 ppm of lead, 1,425 ppm of chromium and 440 ppm of arsenic, (3) another “horror spider” with 2,040 ppm of lead.
Also on the list was (4) a “spiders and web” with 1,658 ppm of lead, (5) a key chain with Halloween witch on a broom stick design with 1,291 ppm of lead, 820 ppm of chromium and 172 ppm of arsenic, (6) a Halloween rainbow wand with 1,119 ppm of lead.
Rounding up the list of Halloween products are (7) an inflatable toy with scary ghost design with 439 ppm of lead, 616 ppm of chromium and 65 ppm of arsenic, (8) a sound bag with red pumpkin and skull design with 379 ppm of lead, (9) a Halloween party eyeglasses with skull design with 241 ppm of lead and (10) a mask with falling eyeball design with 226 ppm of lead.
EcoWaste urged manufacturers to switch to clean production practices and only offer safe products that will not cause harm to the health of children and the ecosystems.
It also cautioned the public to make sure product labels contained complete information on chemical ingredients and avoid children from playing with them.