EcoWaste Coalition Calls for Stricter Safety Standards for Stainless Steel Water Tumblers
Environmental advocates from EcoWaste Coalition have urged government regulators to enforce tighter safety standards for stainless steel water tumblers. They warned that the market is currently flooded with hazardous imported products, posing serious health risks to consumers.
As part of their campaign against preventable lead exposure, the group purchased 40 stainless steel water tumblers from various retail outlets across Metro Manila. These tumblers were priced between P99 to P320. Using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer, EcoWaste Coalition detected lead in 16 tumblers, with concentrations ranging from 1,188 parts per million (ppm) up to an alarming 9,630 ppm.
High Lead Levels Found in Many Tumblers
Further testing revealed that nine out of the 16 tumblers contained even higher lead levels, ranging from 11,270 ppm to 93,700 ppm. Meanwhile, the remaining 24 tumblers tested negative for lead, demonstrating that lead-safe decorative coatings are available and pose no harm to users.
Officials emphasized that the presence of lead in tumblers is a serious health hazard, especially for children who may unknowingly ingest peeling paint chips or dust containing lead.
Calls for Certification and Lead-Safe Labeling
EcoWaste Coalition urged distributors to require certificates of analysis and ensure conformity with the 90 ppm lead limit in paint from suppliers. They also called for mandatory “lead-safe” labeling on all tumblers to protect consumers.
“Only tumblers that have passed third-party tests on material safety, insulation, temperature retention, corrosion resistance, leak-proof features, and durability should be allowed in the domestic market,” community representatives said.
Use of Food-Grade Stainless Steel and BPA-Free Components
The group also highlighted the importance of using food-grade stainless steel in tumblers. They stressed that any non-steel components must be free from bisphenol A (BPA), a harmful endocrine-disrupting chemical similar in danger to lead.
Repeated use of tumblers with lead paint may cause chipping, increasing the risk of lead exposure, especially among children. “Children who are not aware of the risks are exposed to lead when they handle or ingest peeling paint chips and dust containing lead,” local leaders noted.
Urgent Market Withdrawal of Non-Compliant Tumblers
In light of these findings, the environmental group called on the government to order an immediate withdrawal of non-compliant lead-painted tumblers from the market. They emphasized the urgent need to protect public health through stricter regulations and enforcement.
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