‘Lucky charms may contain dangerous chemicals’
A group promoting zero waste and chemical safety has warned luck seekers from purchasing feng shui charms and amulets that are laced with dangerous levels of cadmium and lead – two highly hazardous chemicals.
The EcoWaste Coalition issued the reminder yesterday as many Filipinos rushed to get their luck activators and enhancers in time for the celebration of the Chinese New Year of the Earth Pig today.
The group over the weekend purchased 20 assorted lucky charms and amulets, costing from P25 to P300 each from retailers in Binondo and Quiapo in Manila and had them screened for toxic metals using a handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical instrument.
“Some lucky charms and amulets that are supposed to attract energy, health, fortune and happiness are unluckily contaminated with cadmium and lead, two highly hazardous substances that belong to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s list of 10 chemicals of major public health concern,” said Thony Dizon, chemical safety campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition.
Out of the 20 items, 15 were found to be contaminated with excessive levels of lead and cadmium way above the 90 parts per million limit for lead in paint under Philippine and United States laws, and 100 ppm limit for cadmium in jewelry under the European Union regulation.
“Cadmium and lead, which can accumulate in the body and damage human health, should not be present in consumer products, especially for items that are supposed to enhance good health and better life,” Dizon said.
According to the WHO, lead “is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems, including the neurologic, hematologic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and renal systems.”
Lead exposure among children even at low levels can interrupt and damage brain development and cause lifelong learning and behavioral problems, while exposure among adults can bring about miscarriage in women, reduced sperm count in men, hypertension and other health issues.
To protect children, women and workers from lead exposure, the Philippines took a globally recognized move to phase out lead-containing decorative paints in 2016, and is currently on the way to eliminating lead in industrial paints this year.
Cadmium is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as “carcinogenic to humans,” and is also recognized as a reproductive and developmental toxin associated with reduced birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion and birth defects in humans, as well with behavioral and learning disabilities.
Instead of cadmium and lead-laden lucky charms and amulets, the EcoWaste Coalition advised luck seekers to go for the tried and tested formula to attract health, fortune and happiness: healthy lifestyle, positive relationships with fellow men and the environment, hard work, perseverance, prayers and good deeds.