A chemical safety advocacy group discovered hazardous mugs and plates which are selling like hotcakes this holiday season, putting public health at risk.
Alarmed by the discovery, Eco Waste Coalition warned the public caught in the shopping frenzy to be discerning in their gift-buying spree to ensure public safety.
As it continued to scour and hunt stores for dangerous chemical containing items, EcoWaste detected high levels of cadmium and lead in 12 coffee mugs and eight flat plates from retailers in Quiapo, Manila.
The colorful mugs and plates adorned with assorted images of Santa Claus and other favorite Christmas icons are being sold for P25 to P100 each.
Using X-ray fluorescence screening method, the Quezon City-based group found out that a plate with Santa design had 10,100 parts per million (ppm) of lead and 2,113 ppm of cadmium while a mug with a Christmas tree design had 12,600 ppm lead and 2,912 cadmium.
None of the analyzed mugs and plates provided information on their chemical composition, and none provided any cautionary warnings.
“Cadmium can cause cancer, while lead can harm the brain and the central nervous system resulting in decreased intelligence, developmental disabilities and behavioral problems, among a long list of health problems,’’ the EcoWaste Coalition said. (Chito Chavez)
