Truth behind toxic-cleaning agents

The EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and pollution watchdog, held a mock wake called “Kaluksa” in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City recently following the death on June 24 of a one-year-old baby girl who mistakenly drank silver cleaner in Paco, Manila.

The group is calling upon Environmental department’s acting Secretary Ramon Paje attention because of the poor implementation of the ban on cyanide-laced silver cleaning agents.

Mourners wore black veils while they held a makeshift white coffin at the gates of the department. The cyanide word with skulls and crossbones insignia decorated the coffin. Candles and prayers were offered for the victim and their families.

“There’s already a ruling but it is not implemented. There are a lot of children today who thinks this is the way to end their lives,” said Dr. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz, secretary of EcoWaste Coalition to The Manila Times. She said parents should be more responsible in keeping toxic cleaning agents away from their children.

“We are here in front of DENR to inform Secretary Paje the importance of their goal to implement the ban of use of cyanide, especially silver cleaners. We know that this is very easy to use and buy. It is very open and very cheap. It is easy to use. How many incidents or deaths do we have to take before our eyes are opened to the fact that we should ban the selling and for the law to be [strictly] implemented,” elaborated Thony Dizon, project coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition.

“Like what happened to this baby, she drank it. Just imagine how irresponsible the parents [were] and how these were easily bought over the counter. This should be banned because it causes death,” said Dr. Samaco-Paquiz.

According to the National Poison Management and Control Center data, silver cleaner poisoning is number two in the adult age group (191 cases). It is number six in the pediatric age group (49 cases).

In 2010, there was a significant increase in silver cleaner poisoning compared to the 235 cases in 2009. From January to March 2010, there were 49 cases reported. Twenty-four cases were children and two were male patients who died.

He further said that the manufacturers should also take full responsibility of the victims of poisoning. “If the law is not imposed strictly then this type of accidents will happen repeatedly,” said Dizon.

Dr. Samaco-Paquiz further explained that there’s awareness but it isn’t enough. For her, the death of an infant was a “waste of life.” She said that another problem was the lack of awareness of people who are problematic or depressed. They don’t know who to seek help from.

There are other silver cleaning agents such as sulfuric acid, ammonia, isopropanol, nitric acid and thiourea. Cyanide is highly toxic and poisonous to both humans and aquatic life.

The Environmental Management Bureau tested samples of silver cleaners for cyanide in 2009. Test results confirmed high levels of cyanides which are deemed fatal to humans once ingested. They also told the EcoWaste Coalition that the jewelry cleaners should be banned from the market. However, the toxic products are still sold in jewelry shops without proper labels and safety precautions.

The Ecowaste Coalition suggested the usage of soap, toothpaste, baking soda and mild detergents instead of toxic cleaning agents. –REMEDIOS V. LUCIO CORRESPONDENT, Manila Times