DepEd vows full probe of ‘toxic’ school supplies

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday assured parents that it would look into reports that at least five school supplies contain potential carcinogens. Radio dzXL reported that DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno said her office is now verifying information to confirm the findings of EcoWaste Coalition about toxic school supplies. On Sunday, EcoWaste Coalition warned that at least five school supplies being sold in time for the opening of classes June 15 have tested positive for suspected carcinogen. It said five samples of PVC school supplies it sent to laboratories for testing yielded suspected carcinogen di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate/DEHP. EcoWaste said it bought the five typical PVC school supplies from popular stores May 24 to 31, and had them analyzed by Intertek Testing Services Philippines. Found to have high levels of DEHP were a green long plastic envelope (19.881 percent DEHP), a PVC plastic book cover (18.997 percent), a PVC notebook cover (18.543 percent), a PVC plastic lunch bag and a PVC bagpack (both with 17.120 percent DEHP). The limit for DEHP and five other types of phthalates as per US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 is 0.1 percent of any children’s product for ages 12 and below. Phthalates are toxic industrial chemicals used to make plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more flexible, softer or durable. But the European Union and the United States have banned the use of some phthalates in plastic toys and childcare articles. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV