Lead Paint

Philippines

Lead NGO - EcoWaste Coalition

Results from National Sampling
No.Samples - 25
Median ppm - 40
% > 90 ppm - 40
%>600 ppm - 36
Average (ppm) - 17016
1. In general, plastic paint samples have low concentration of lead - well below 90 ppm.
2. Enamel paint samples contain high concentrations of lead. The average lead concentration in enamel samples is 28,354 ppm with the range varying up to 19 percent.

National NGO Activities Campaign to Phase Out of Lead in Paints for Filipino Children’s Health and Safety

Activities Lead awareness activities will be undertaken for civil society groups and the general public, a press conference will be held in Manila, a forum in Cebu will be held to launch the report, and a multistakeholders' coalition will be formed in order to advocate for the phase out of lead in paints.

1. Press Conference – on December 7, 2009 in Quezon City, the Coalition hosted a forum on lead paint elimination, and the Global Launch of the Study of Lead in New Paints. Key resource speakers included Professor Scott Clark from the University of Cincinnati and Dr. Irma Makalinao of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. About 70 participants from various organizations came to the activity.

2. Meeting with the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers – following our global launch and forum, the PAPM, on December 8, solicited the time of Professor Scott Clark to briefly discuss before their key industry officers the alternatives of lead in paint as well as the global trends toward lead paint elimination. Attending the small group discussion were about 20 people from the industry.

3. Meeting with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Trade and Industry- DENR invited Professor Clark to a workshop they organized on December 8 to discuss the health and occupational hazards of lead in paints. On December 9, they invited EcoWaste Coalition and Professor Clark to discuss the statutes and policies initiated globally to eliminate lead paint. DENR invited government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry and other DENR-Environmental Management Bureau regional offices, and key non-government organizations to discuss the steps toward creating an administrative order phasing out lead in paint. DENR and DTI requested the EcoWaste Coalition to help in drafting an administrative order to regulate/eliminate lead use in paint.

4. Meeting with Civil Society Groups – on December 14, EcoWaste convened the various NGOs, private organizations, and individuals interested in supporting the lead elimination campaign. A number of representatives from different organizations managed to come despite their busy year-end schedules. A provisional statement of unity has been prepared and is currently being circulated for comments.

5. On December 15, Davies paint requested a meeting with the campaign coordinator to discuss the global study and the possibilities of supporting the campaign. Davies is one of the top paint makers in the Philippines.

6. Creative Public Awareness Activities – on November 22, EcoWaste Coalition kicked off what was to be a busy year-end string of activities for the elimination of lead in paint. The campaign utilized the onset of the Christmas season to highlight the dangers of lead paint in toys that children maybe receiving during the holidays. The activity was held in one of the busiest flea markets in Manila, especially during the Christmas season. EcoWaste volunteers from Earth-UST, a university-wide environmental organization from the oldest university in the Philippines, dressed up as Santa Claus and Christmas gifts carried placards and banners that says, “Only Safe Toys for Children”, while others gave away pamphlets that suggest eco-friendly gifts.

7. On December 20, a church organization hosted the Coalition’s Christmas campaign against lead. With the help of Atsitra, a youth theater group that volunteers for the Coalition, Church-goers were treated to a short musical presentation highlighting, again, the dangers of lead paint in gift toys. Mothers with their children came and watched the skit.

8. Cebu Launch of “Lead in New Decorative Paints: A Global Study” – on December 11, the University of Cebu College of Law and partners Visayas Climate Action Network, Environmental Design, Inc. Share a Child, and Global Legal Action on Climate Change replicated the elimination of lead in paint forum and launch of the global study which was earlier in the week done in Manila. Various NGOs, government agencies and students from different colleges of the University attended the activity held in their school’s auditorium

National NGO Documents and Information "One outdoor creative public awareness activity in Manila, press conference in Manila to launch the report, forum on lead in paints in Cebu to launch the report

Press releases

The EcoWaste Coalition

Press Release November 2010 Lead Analysis in New Household Paint

MANILA, Philippines - Is there lead in the paint of your house?:

“EcoWaste Coalition Steps Up Campaign against Toxic Toys,” 20 December 2009 Link

“Cebu Groups Join Drive to Eliminate Lead in Paints for Children’s Health,” 11 December 2009 Link

“EcoWaste Coalition Seeks the Elimination of Lead in Paints to Protect Pinoy Kids,” 7 December 2009 Link

“Keep Pinoy Kids Safe from Toxic Gifts,” 22 November 2009 Link

Media Coverage November 2010

"Warning against lead in paint raised" by Jonathan Mayuga, Business Mirror, 12 November 2010 (pasted below). Link
"Most paints have high lead levels" by Rhodina Villanueva, Philippine Star, 12 November 2010. Link
"Local paint samples tested positive for high lead contents," Philippine News Agency, 11 November 2010. Link
"Local paint samples tested positive for high lead contents," U.S. News Las Vegas, 11 November 2010. Link
"Group warns vs toxic paints" by Melnie Ragasa-Jimena, People's Journal Tonight, 12 November 2010.
"PH paints have high lead levels" by Ellalyn B. De Vera, Tempo, 12 November 2010.
"Tingga sa Pintura" by Manny C. Calonzo, Remate Tonight, 12 November 2010.
Warning against lead in paint raise Thursday, 11 November 2010 11:53 Jonathan Mayuga / Correspondent Link

Media Coverage 2009
Philippine Star: 10-12-2009 Group warns of high lead content in household paints:
Manila Bulletin: 9-12-2009 RP paints with high lead content:
Philippine News Agency: 7-12-2009 EcoWaste coalition seeks the elimination of lead in paints :
Business Mirror: 7-12-2009
Malaya: 7-12-2009
People's Journal: 7-12-2009
Balita.PH: 7-12-2009

Filipinos warned vs use of paints with poisonous lead Link

EcoWaste coalition steps up warning vs toxic toys Link

Cebu groups join drive to eliminate lead in paints Link

EcoWaste Coalition: Keep Pinoy kids safe from toxic gifts Link

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/18983-ngo-alert-up-on-toys-with-toxic-ingredients.html">

You better watch out: Keep kids safe from toxic gifts Link

Buy ‘green’ gifts, group urges public Link

TV News:
1. Channel 5, The Evening News, 7 December 2009
2. Channel 2, Cebu News, 11 December 2009

Best Gift Ever for Children’s Health
By Manny C. Calonzo
Environment and You People 's Journal Tonight
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 17:35
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/opinion/1731-best-gift-ever-for-childrens-health

AN emerging coalition of groups and individuals dedicated to advancing children’s safety and health has come up with probably the best gift idea for Filipino children that we, adults, can bring to fruition together -- a lead-free environment.

Following the release in Quezon City and Cebu City of a pioneering study on household paints that showed elevated levels of lead in 80% of the samples purchased in 10 countries, including the Philippines, chemical safety advocates have started to reach out to various sectors in the hope of removing lead-added paints in the market.

The effort is part of a global push by the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), which has over 700 members from more than 100 countries, to assert the primacy of children’s health amid the continued sale of lead paints, especially in developing nations.

According to a draft manifesto that is being circulated to potential campaign partners, eliminating lead in paints is an urgent mission “to protect ourselves and our loved ones, especially our children who are at greatest risk, from their harmful effects.”

Lead is a neurotoxicant that is notorious for attacking the brain and the nervous system of children who are most vulnerable because of their hand-to-mouth activities.

Lead exposure from paint is usually through ingestion of lead dust but in some cases paint chips can be eaten; and airborne lead dust is often inhaled or eaten, and in some degree absorbed into the skin, as explained by heavy metals expert Prof. Scott Clark who recently visited the country.

Health experts say that lead poisoning could result in a number of serious health issues, including decreased bone and muscle growth, speech and language difficulties, hearing loss, behavioural issues, lower IQ and even criminal behavior.

“Since children are ill-equipped to defend themselves from toxic exposure to lead, we deem it a moral responsibility to address and prevent this most common environmental health hazard for children,” said the draft manifesto.

The EcoWaste Coalition and allied groups are pinning their hopes on a global consensus to address the problem with the decision to form the “Global Partnership to Eliminate Lead in Paint” at the second International Conference on Chemicals Management held in 2009 in Geneva, which the government of the Philippines supported.

Filipino campaigners hope to translate locally the envisaged global partnership with the indispensable participation of policy makers and regulators, paint manufacturers, importers and distributors, doctors and nurses, school administrators, teachers and students, workers and all others who believe that children are entitled to a safe environment where they can rest, study and play without being exposed to poison.

They are also hopeful that the same sense of concern for children’s health and safety will prevail that contributed to the phase out of lead in gasoline under the Clean Air Act of 1999.

To accomplish the campaign goal, the EcoWaste Coalition and its partners intend to:
1. Raise public awareness on the problem with lead paints.
2. Provide inputs on national policy to eliminate lead in products, particularly lead in household paints, in toys and other common consumer products.
3. Pursue a “National Partnership” complementing the “Global Partnership to Eliminate Lead in Paint.”
4. Assist in determining the extent of lead contamination due to legacy usage of lead in order to devise a sound program to reduce exposure to lead.
5. Support a monitoring plan to ensure that industries comply with standards, ensuring that lead paint is not sold, manufactured in, or imported into the country.
6. Participate in the global campaign to remove lead out of paints.

(Manny C. Calonzo is president of the Eco Waste Coalition and co-coordinator of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives).

Presidential aspirants back lead-free paints for children's health

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=267889

MANILA, April 5 (PNA) -- To the delight of children’s health and chemical safety campaigners, seven presidential candidates have declared their common stance towards the elimination of lead, a toxic metal, in paints.

Sen. Noynoy Aquino, Sen. Dick Gordon, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Sen. Manny Villar, Councilor JC de los Reyes, environmentalist Nicky Perlas and evangelist Eddie Villanueva favored lead-free paints to promote the health and wellness of Filipino children.

The EcoWaste Coalition and Greenpeace announced the third installment of the Green Electoral Initiative (GEI) survey results in time for the

World Health Day on April 7, which highlighted the presidential candidates’ positions and plans on chemical pollution and consumer safety issues.

Perlas ranked first with 9.1 points, followed by Gordon 7.9, Villanueva 6.98, Madrigal 6.26, Villar 6.16, Aquino 5.14 and de los Reyes 1.8.

The other two candidates, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, failed to earn points in the green ranking exercise for not responding to the survey.

“Eliminating lead in paints is key to reducing lead hazards in the environment and in preventing childhood lead exposure and poisoning.

We are thrilled to learn that our presidential candidates are one with us in our advocacy to ensure our children’s health and safety from lead,” said Manny Calonzo of the EcoWaste Coalition and the International POPs Elimination Network, a global NGO network that has initiated a campaign to put children’s health first and eliminate lead paint.

"We've already phased out lead in gasoline. It's high time for the national government to now cut the largest source of lead exposure for our children, lead in paint, and vigorously push for an industry shift to kid-safe, non-toxic alternatives," added Ines Fernandez of Arugaan and the Save Babies Coalition.

According to the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead in Paints (an international partnership jointly coordinated by the United Nations

Environment Programme and the World Health Organization), “children are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of lead, and even relatively low levels of exposure can cause serious and in some cases irreversible neurological damage.”

Lead has caused extensive environmental contamination, human exposure and health problems, including neurologic, hematologic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal system ailments, according to UNEP and WHO.

Gordon, Madrigal and Villar pointed to the health and environmental hazards posed by lead in paints, with Gordon stressing that “we cannot allow toxins that severely affect human health – and intellectual capacity at that – to proliferate.”

Perlas and Villanueva reiterated that alternatives to lead in paints exist, “but we need a strong consumer protection agency that is free from inappropriate industry influence—one that involves civil society participation” stated Perlas.

On the broader issue of chemical safety, Perlas, Gordon, Villanueva and Madrigal offered the most extensive inputs that drew the attention of the GEI non-partisan evaluators, including proposals on how to integrate chemical safety into the country’s health, environment and development agenda such as through consumer information and education, product labeling and public disclosure of chemicals in materials, products and wastes.

Perlas emphasized the need to address not only the harmful chemicals in consumer products, but also the toxins in agriculture, energy and mining sectors, while also underlining the need to heighten consumer awareness regarding the importance of reading and understanding the labels placed on food products.

“(I will) require manufacturers to fully and properly disclose and register on a publicly accessible registry linked to other similar registries in other countries the chemical components of their raw materials, consumer products, and waste, and make exposures to the general public of toxic substances become an issue of consumer safety, and work with Congress to amend existing environmental and consumer protection laws,” Gordon said.

Villanueva, for his part, proposed the establishment of a broad chemicals safety information network that will enable information on chemicals, their properties and their safe handling and management to thoroughly penetrate the public consciousness.

In addition to issuing an executive order on chemical safety, Madrigal pledged to initiate a review on the country’s policy on poison control and regulation. (PNA) LDV/PR/mec

Wanted: Leaders versus lead

CONSUMERLINE
By Ching M. Alano (The Philippine Star) Updated April 13, 2010 12:00 AM

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=565846&publicationSubCategoryId=80

Recently, lead has been a burning topic in media, with many an alarming story on lead contamination. Yes, we do take in trace amounts of some heavy metals (copper, zinc, etc.), but at high levels, these could be dangerous. Over time, we accumulate heavy metals and this can lead to serious illness and even premature death. The environmental load of heavy metal toxins is the high price we pay for industrialization, notes Buzzle.com.

Taking the lead is lead, which is mostly found in lead-based paints and airborne lead-containing particulates. Lead can lead to a decline in mental, cognitive, and physical health. Of particular concern are the children, whose brains and nervous systems are more sensitive than adults’ and whose growing bodies absorb more lead.

And now, parents will be pleased to know that seven presidential candidates have vowed to work for the elimination of lead, a toxic metal in paints.

These are: Senator Noynoy Aquino, Senator Manny Villar, Senator Dick Gordon, Senator Jamby Madrigal, councilor JC de los Reyes, environmentalist Nicky Perlas, and evangelist Eddie Villanueva who vote for lead-free paints to promote the health and well-being of Filipino children.

The EcoWaste Coalition and Greenpeace announced the third installment of the Green Electoral Initiative (GEI) survey results to coincide with World Health Day last April 7, underscoring the presidential candidates’ positions and plans on chemical pollution and consumer safety issues.

And the winners are: Perlas ranked first with 9.1 points, followed by Gordon, 7.9; Villanueva, 6.98; Madrigal, 6.26; Villar, 6.16; Aquino, 5.14; and de los Reyes, 1.8. The other two candidates — former President Erap Estrada and Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro — did not respond to the survey, thus failed to earn their brownie, er, green points.

Says Manny Calonzo of the EcoWaste Coalition and the International POPs Elimination Network, a global NGO network that has initiated a campaign to put children’s health first and eliminate lead paint, “Eliminating lead in paints is key to reducing lead hazards in the environment and in preventing childhood lead exposure and poisoning. We are thrilled to learn that our presidential candidates are one with us in our advocacy to ensure our children’s health and safety from lead.”

Ines Fernandez of Arugaan and Save Babies Coalition says this is certainly no kidstuff. “We’ve already phased out lead in gasoline. It’s high time for the national government to now cut the largest source of lead exposure for our children — lead in paint — and vigorously push for an industry shift to kid-safe, non-toxic alternatives.”

“Children are particularly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of lead, and even relatively low levels of exposure can cause serious and, in some cases, irreversible neurological damage,” says the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead in Paints, an international partnership jointly coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization.

According to UNEP and WHO, lead has caused extensive environmental contamination, human exposure, and health problems, including neurologic, hematologic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal system ailments.

Here’s how the presidential bets voted against lead:

• Gordon, Madrigal, and Villar took note of the health and environmental hazards posed by lead in paints. Gordon stressed, “We cannot allow toxins that severely affect human health — and intellectual capacity at that — to proliferate.”

• Perlas and Villanueva: Alternatives to lead in paints do exist, “but we need a strong consumer protection agency that is free from inappropriate industry influence — one that involves civil society participation.”

• Perlas, Gordon, Villanueva, and Madrigal get more votes from the committed environmentalists for putting forward proposals on how to integrate chemical safety into the country’s health, environment, and development agenda such as through consumer information and education, product labeling, and public disclosure of chemicals in materials, products, and wastes.

A gem of an environmentalist, Perlas emphasized the need to address not only the harmful chemicals in consumer products but also the toxins in agriculture, energy, and mining sectors, while also underlining the need to heighten consumer awareness regarding the importance of reading and understanding the labels placed on food products.

• For his part, Gordon declares, “(I will) require manufacturers to fully and properly disclose and register on a publicly accessible registry linked to other similar registries in other countries the chemical components of their raw materials, consumer products, and wastes, and make exposures to the general public of toxic substances become an issue of consumer safety, and work with Congress to amend existing environmental and consumer protection laws.”

• Villanueva proposed the creation of a broad chemicals safety information network that will make provide info on chemicals, their properties, and their safe handling and management to thoroughly penetrate the public consciousness.

• In addition to issuing an executive order on chemical safety, Madrigal pledged to initiate a review on the country’s policy on poison control and regulation.

For more WHO/UNEP information on lead in paint: visit http://www.who.int/ipcs/features/pb_alliance/en/index.html.

Meanwhile, The EcoWaste Coalition and Greenpeace has also disclosed the sec-ond installment of the 2010 Green Electoral Initiative (GEI) survey results, this time focusing on the issue of ecological solid waste management.

According to the survey, seven of the nine presidential bets vote for an outright or eventual ban on single-use plastic bags and other plastic-based disposable containers, which have been largely blamed for clogging waterways and causing floods and ocean pollution.

And these seven candidates are: Sen. Noynoy Aquino, Sen. Dick Gordon, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Sen. Manny Villar, councilor JC de los Reyes, environmentalist Nicky Perlas, and evangelist Eddie Villanueva. Again, scoring zero are former President Erap Estrada and Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro who failed to respond to the survey.

Plastic ain’t fantastic, so agree these presidentiables who cited the obvious issue of wastefulness as well as the ecological harm resulting from the unchecked disposal of plastic trash in dumpsites, storm drains, and water bodies.

To curb plastic bag consumption in the country, some of the candidates proposed the imposition of taxes and disincentives, maximizing plastic waste recovery, reusing, and recycling.

Says Roy Alvarez, EcoWaste Coalition president, “The expressed intent of the seven presidential bets to act against plastics pollution should send a strong signal to the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) about the urgent need to impose a policy that will effectively phase out and ultimately ban single-use plastic bags. The Commision has been remiss in performing this mandate, opting to kowtow instead to the the vested interests of plastic manufacturers.”

“Together with the front-end approaches of waste segregation, composting and recycling, prohibiting and deterring the use of plastic bags and other environmentally unsound packaging will considerably reduce the volume of waste and help avert a host of associated environmental problems,” Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director Von Hernandez points out.

In addition, Perlas presented a five-point action plan, thus: 1) accelerating the adoption of zero waste management, 2) restructuring the whole garbage disposal system to enable segregation at source, composting of organic wastes, recycling of non-biodegradable wastes, and proper disposal of toxic wastes (including medical wastes), 3) establishing strategic partnerships with civil society and business, 4) highlighting and rewarding cities and towns that have exemplary solid waste management systems, and 5) instituting a well thought-out system of taxes and incentives that can address the challenge of plastic wastes and promote sustainable waste management.

Now, let’s all vote for the elimination of lead and plastic wastes from our lives forever.

Group warns of dangers to kids posed by leaded paint in schools

By INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT
May 25, 2010, 6:32pm
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/259041/group-warns-dangers-kids-posed-leaded-paint-schools

As the Department of Education (DepEd), through its Brigada Eskwela Plus initiative, prepares for the school opening on June 15, a waste and toxic watchdog reminded volunteers to be cautious of their possible exposure from lead in paint, chips and dust during the school cleanup activities.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a non-governmental group campaigning for the elimination of lead in paint, called the attention of DepEd and its Brigada Eskwela collaborators from the private and public sectors to keep school premises safe from lead pollution.

According to EcoWaste Coalition’s Manny Calonzo, the group is particularly concerned with the improper removal of old leaded paint from school walls, doors and windows, and the use of lead paint in repainting efforts.

“The improper scraping, sanding or burning of leaded paint can expose the Brigada Eskwela volunteers and the students themselves to toxic pollutants,” he said.

Calonzo also said repainting schools with leaded paint can, in time, pose hazards to children's health from chipping or flaking surfaces. “Let us aim for a non-toxic makeover of our schools so that our children can benefit from a clean, healthy and safe environment that they are entitled to,” he said.

The DepEd on Monday launched the Brigada Eskwela Plus in San Joaquin Elementary School in Pasig City, Quezon City National High School (QCHS) in Quezon City and in all the schools in the 16 regions in the country.

DepEd officials led by Education Secretary Mona Valisno along with other local government officials, volunteers from the private sector, parents, and students started cleaning up the school premises as well as repair other school facilities so these can be used when the classes start.

The Brigada Eskwela Plus is a project under DepEd’s Adopt-A-School program which started in 2003. The project aims to enlist the help of the community in cleaning school grounds and repairing classrooms, school furniture and other school facilities year-round. Aside from promoting the spirit of volunteerism in the community, the program also aims to encourage students, parents, school and to take part in promoting and improving the quality of the country’s education system by shrinking the drop out rate every school year.

According to QCHS principal Romula Rocena, the program has helped the school a lot in terms of improving the facilities in the school and in decreasing drop out rates. “It is such a dismay to see children who drop out of school because they are such a great force in our society. Through this program, we hope that the parents will be encouraged to send their children back to school when they see that the facilities are well-furnished and conducive for learning,” Rocena explained in Filipino. (With report from Charizze L. Abulencia