Environmental group Ecowaste Coalition urged all candidates in the May 9, 2016 polls to consider the health of voters and stop distributing baller bands as giveaways for the upcoming elections.
The group issued the warning after finding lead, a toxic chemical, in mostly polyvinyl chloride rubber baller wristbands.
Using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer, the group detected lead in 27 out of 30 samples of baller bands in the range of 1,325 to 8,465 parts per million (ppm) of which 15 had lead content above 4,000 ppm. Lead was not detected in the other 3 non-PVC baller bands.
“Made-to-order baller bands are popular campaign giveaways. Sadly, not all baller bands are equal as there are types that contain harmful chemicals,” said Thony Dizon, coordinator of the Ecowaste Project Protect.
Dizon zeroed in on PVC baller bands laden with lead, a heavy metal, which according to the World Health Organization, is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children.”
“While not originally intended for kids, these wrist accessories may end up in children’s hands and mouths and directly expose them to lead, a hazardous substance that attacks the brain and the central nervous system,” he said.
WHO has warned that there is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe.
Aside from lead, PVC baller bands may contain other dangerous chemical additives such as phthalates that are added to the material to give it some useful properties, including elasticity and malleability.
To avoid giving away toxic campaign souvenirs, the group advised candidates, political parties and party-list groups to obtain certificate of analysis from vendors to confirm the non-presence of lead and other chemicals of concerns not only in baller bands, but in all other campaign materials.
“In this manner, political aspirants avoid spending for campaign stuff that can poison human health and harm the environment,” Dizon said.
The group said careful selection of campaign materials will benefit the public health and the environment because it prevent chemicals from being introduced to the market and the environment; Avoid potential human exposure to dangerous substances; Cut trade in products containing harmful chemicals; Push consumer demand for non-toxic products; and Reduce disposal of toxic-laden waste materials in cement kilns, incinerators, dumpsites and landfills.