Secretary Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) called on all primary schools in the Philippines to make chemical safety a top priority as he sounded the alarm about the potential health risks of mercury and lead to schoolchildren.
He made the statement at the launch of the “Lead and Mercury Safe Schools for Bright and Healthy Children” campaign by the DENR and the European Union (EU) held at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City.
“Chemical safety and security must be a priority of the schools. Administrators, supervisors, teachers and students must work together to ensure that chemicals are handled with precaution and care,” Paje said during the launch.
A “Solidarity Statement” was signed by Paje, along with EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux and Dr. Jocelyn Marcial of DepEd-National Capital Region and DepEd-NCR chief for elementary schools division Dr. Genia Santos, and representatives of environmental advocacy groups. Said statement enjoins stakeholders to work together toward the elimination of lead and mercury exposures in primary schools nationwide.
He said that with the help of the EU’s SWITCH-Asia Programme, the Ecowaste Coalition and the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), the government would be able strengthen the capacities of schools in the management of lead, mercury and other hazardous chemicals. POPs stands for persistent organic pollutants.
The Solidarity Statement, he added, will help “promote greater inter-agency and multi-stakeholder support towards lead and mercury-safe school environments for Filipino children.”
Paje noted that the investments being put in the effort are an expression of the Aquino Administration’s fervor to channel the gains in the country’s economy towards building generations of Filipinos “that are both physically healthy and intellectually vibrant.”
“The true wealth of a nation can only be truly realized through a healthy and educated generation and citizenry,” said Paje.
The environment chief expressed hope the undertaking would “inspire more schools to commit towards a safe and healthy environment for healthy and bright kids.”
Commonwealth Elementary School was chosen as the venue for the campaign launch having been the regional champion in the primary school category of the DENR’s National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools in 2011 and 2013, and national champion in the same category for the Meralco Energy Leadership Awards.
Lead and mercury are toxic heavy metals being regulated by the DENR. Exposure to these chemicals has been found to cause irreversible neurological damage among children, leading to a decrease in intelligence and an increase in violent behavior.
The DENR had earlier issued chemical control orders (CCOs) for mercury and lead to limit, regulate, restrict and even prohibit their importation, distribution, use, manufacture and disposal.
For his part EU Ambassador Ledoux complemented the government’s aggressiveness on the problem and described the recent CCO issuances to limit the use of the chemicals on consumers product as “a breakthrough” and “effective intervention.”
He said that the “dangers of lead exposure in the Philippines are real,” citing an EU-sponsored study in 2013 which revealed that more than 60 percent of paint samples collected in various parts of the country were with “worryingly high concentrations.”
“The situation is well-known and I would like to congratulate Secretary Paje for his rapid and effective intervention to address the issue. The recent chemical control order (issued) by the DENR to limit the use of lead in consumer products is a breakthrough,” said Ledoux.
Despite its many uses as in mining, pulp and paper, dental amalgam, among others, mercury is extremely poisonous to humans. The human body quickly absorbs mercury through skin contact, ingestion or inhalation of mercury vapor.
To help address mercury in lamp wastes, the DENR has developed guidelines in handling these wastes that are regulated hazardous waste under Republic Act (RA) No. 6969 or the Toxic Substances, and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act, and considered “special wastes” under RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
Wastes from fluorescent lamps as well as other types of energy-efficient lighting contain mercury. Fluorescent lamps are among the most widely used electric light sources found not just in homes and workplaces but also in schools.
Fluorescent lighting is energy efficient, using about one-fourth the energy required compared to incandescent bulbs. When disposed of improperly, fluorescent bulbs may release mercury into the air, water and land, posing significant threat to public health and the environment.
In October last year, Paje represented the Philippine government in signing the Minamata Convention during the United Nations Conference on Mercury in Japan. The international treaty calls on all member states to regulate mercury and develop action plans to reduce and eventually phase out its use.
As regards lead, the DENR has banned the use of lead and lead compounds in the manufacture of packaging for food and drink, toys, schools supplies, cosmetics, water pipes and other consumer products, and its use as fuel additive.
Standards were set for the content of lead at 90 parts per million for locally produced paint, and the timeframe for the strict implementation of the standard from 2016 to 2019.
By 2016, paints intended for architectural, decorative, household applications must comply with this lead content while paints for industrial applications must conform to the content standard by 2019. The DENR has also been pushing for a shift to lead-free production in the paint industry.
Since lead is a toxic substance, the regulation covers not only the production process, but starts at the importation of the chemical to transport, recycling and even up to disposal of lead-containing wastes.
When lead gets inside the body, the body confuses it with other essential nutrients and this gradual confusion can cause permanent damage to the health of both children and adults.
Children six years and below can have learning disabilities while adults can have nerve disorders, high blood pressure and increased chance of illness for pregnant women affecting unborn babies, among others. (RJB/AKG-PIA-NCR/DENR)
