The EcoWaste Coalition led the campaign and generated data on three types of consumer products: Children’s Products; Cosmetics; and School Supplies. All three studies provide insights into toxic substances in products which consumers are unknowingly purchasing. These studies generated national media and political attention.

“The data generated out of the product tests in Manila, Cebu and Davao would inform and fortify our push to eliminate health-damaging chemicals in consumer articles, especially those intended for kids’ use. The data, we know, will help policy makers and regulators in upgrading and expanding existing rules to proactively protect children’s health and safety.”
–Roy Alvarez, President of the EcoWaste Coalition

In many countries, an important route of entry for chemicals and metals is through consumer products. These substances can cause concern for consumer exposure, particularly in children.
This study measured toxic metals in 200 children’s products in Manila, Philippines with a focus on antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. Measurements were performed using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF). Approximately 30% of the products contained at least one toxic metal above levels of concern.
The data revealed 37 products (19%) that contained lead at or above the US regulatory limit. Twenty-seven samples (14%) contained more than one toxic metal. The study also found children’s toy cosmetics with mercury levels 4 – 5 times higher than the regulatory limit in the Philippines. The findings raise safety concerns for exposure in children and highlight the need for protective national regulatory policies. To our knowledge, this is the first publically available investigation of toxic metals in children’s products in the Philippines.

Samples containing lead above the US regulatory limit of 90 ppm

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Summary of toxic metal levels in children's products greater than levels of concern

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Children's cosmetics containing mercury and other toxic metals

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This activity has been produced with the financial assistance of various donors including the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, SSNC. The views herein shall not necessarily be taken to reflect the official opinion of SSNC.