As the holiday rush begins, environmental watchdog BAN Toxics has called on government regulatory agencies to conduct immediate market inspections after detecting toys containing lead being sold across Metro Manila.
Recent market monitoring by the group revealed an increasing number of retailers displaying children’s toys in anticipation of early holiday shopping, with samples purchased from major commercial hubs in Manila, Pasay City, and Quezon City since September.
The toys include cars, trucks, dolls, musical instruments, robots, battery-operated toys, squeaky toys, and kitchen sets, among others, with many found to lack proper labeling in violation of Republic Act (RA) 10620, the “Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013.”
Thony Dizon, BAN Toxics Campaign and Advocacy Officer, urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to prevent the sale of unsafe toys containing toxic chemicals such as lead, emphasizing that the absence of proper labeling warrants immediate inspection.
Out of 50 toys screened by BAN Toxics using a Vanta C Series XRF Chemical Analyzer, 41 were found to contain lead, with levels ranging from 16 parts per million (ppm) to as high as 4,600 ppm.
The group further called on the FDA and DTI to conduct product testing and confiscation of non-compliant toys to ensure public safety. They also encouraged local government units to inspect toy retailers’ permits and certificates of product notification within their jurisdictions.
Lead, a toxic metal, poses severe health risks to children, including brain damage and developmental issues. The World Health Organization warns that young children absorb 4–5 times more lead than adults, with exposure leading to irreversible health effects.
Under Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2013-24, the use of lead in children’s toys is strictly prohibited.
BAN Toxics also encouraged parents to exercise caution when purchasing toys and avoid those without proper labeling, highlighting consumer rights during Consumer Welfare Month this October.
The group is ramping up its “Safe Toys for Kids” campaign with various activities lined up, including seminars and the release of a joint study with the Bangladesh-based Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) on toxic chemicals in toys.
BAN Toxics will also be marking International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week from October 22 to 26 with seminars and awareness activities.