Consumers warned vs. toys containing lead

An environmental watchdog warned consumers against buying as Christmas gifts toys that may be harmful due to their lead content.

EcoWaste Coalition examined 100 toys for their toxicity levels and found that 32 of them had a high lead content, according to a report on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday by Saleema Refran.

A fidget spinner was found to have 198,900 parts per million of lead, more than 2,000 times higher than the allowable limit of 90 parts per million.

Lead may cause harm when ingested. 

Toys containing high level of lead usually are brightly colored and have paint that could easily chip off.

According to Dr. Erle Castillo, toxicologist of Medical Center Manila, lead can affect not just the blood but also the memory.

"It can affect learning. Ang dugo, magiging anemic sila. Memory is also affected tapos ang mga nerves are also affected. Puwedeng magkaroon ng neuropathy, pamamanhid, panghihina," he said.

EcoWaste Coalition also said some toys had no labels.

Of the 100 toys the group examined, 32 were without labels. Seventy-seven had no information about the manufacturer or distributor. Seventy-five of them had no license to operate number. The labels were also incomplete.

"Kung walang mga balot, plastic lang ay hindi po ligtas," said Atty. Vic Dimagiba, president of Laban Konsyumer. —KG, GMA News