Source: http://www.philstar.com/
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines -- Flip-flop fans, beware. You could be walking on phthalates.
The environmental group EcoWaste Coalition warns that some flip-flops and plastic shoes sold in the country, including popular brands in the mall, contain toxic chemicals.
The group cited a recent study which found that toxins in flip-flops, sandals, clogs and other plastic shoes in seven countries, including the Philippines, “indicated disturbing concentrations of harmful chemicals that are injurious to human health and the environment.”
The study was conducted by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), the renowned 100-year-old environmental organization in Sweden, in cooperation with the EcoWaste Coalition and partner groups in India, Indonesia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.
“We have found frightening concentrations of environmental toxins in shoes that can spread to people and the environment as the shoes become worn. The investigation also shows that companies have no control and that legislation is too weak,” said SSNC president Mikael Karlsson in a statement released by the EcoWaste Coalition.
‘Chemicals Up-Close’
According to the report “Chemicals Up-Close,” 17 of the 27 pairs of plastic shoes tested were found positive for phthalates which are used as softening agents in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic.
According to Manny Calonzo, president of the EcoWaste Coalition, three of the four samples from the Philippines were found to contain diethylhexyl phthalate or DEHP, with one sample containing DEHP and diisodecyl phthalate or DiDP, and another sample containing DEHP and dibutyl phthalate or DBP.
Phthalates such as DBP, DEHP, DiDP, DiNP and DnOP are “endocrine disruptors associated with developmental and reproductive disorders, including incomplete testicular growth and decreased fertility in men.
DEHP, in particular, is officially classified as being able to cause impaired fertility and harm to the unborn child.
Among the brands tested are the “Adorable Dora Sandals” for children (found to contain 6.9 percent of DEHP and 4.7 percent of DiDP), “Beach Walk Sandals” for women and “World Balance Sandals” for men (9.6 percent of DBP) all bought from SM North Edsa Department Store, and the China-made “Chaya Slippers” (8.6 percent of DEHP) bought from Puregold supermarket in Cubao, Quezon City.
Ban phthalates
In 2008, the United States banned phthalates from consumer products, particularly for children.
“There is no justification for the continued use of harmful chemicals such as phthalates in consumer products that could pose grave health and environmental risks. The toxins are spread as the products are used and can leach out when disposed in bodies of water, dumpsites and landfills,” said Calonzo.
Also tested was the popular Crocs Cayman model but bought in Sweden, not in the Philippines. While Crocs Cayman and the “Beach Walk Sandals” were not tested for phthalates, the study found traces of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc.
Heavy metals, too
“It is absurd that consumer products like these have traces of heavy metals which are harmful to the endocrine, nervous and reproductive systems. [They are also] carcinogenic, allergenic, and highly toxic to aquatic organisms,” Calonzo said.
According to the study, local and global regulations on harmful chemicals in consumer products are “far too weak” and that urgent and concerted policies are required to safeguard consumers and the environment from toxic hazards.
“We hope the results of the investigation would prompt our lawmakers to craft and enforce legislation that will tighten, if not completely end, the use of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to public health and the environment,” Calonzo said.
Complete URL:
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