AS ESTABLISHMENTS are preparing for the influx of consumers who will purchase gift items for the upcoming Christmas season, a national environmental group warned public markets, malls, and wholesale shops in the city from selling unauthorized toys that have dangerous chemical components.
EcoWaste Coalition (EWC) National Chemical Safety Campaigner Tony Dizon said Davao City, in its recent and ongoing study, has shown that many establishments especially public markets and retail shops are selling toys and schools supplies that are not accredited by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
The items, through the coalition's study, were found positive of toxic chemicals such as mercury and Polybrominated biphenyls which are harmful to the health of any user, especially the children.
"Unlike with drugs where symptoms can immediately be seen, chemicals in toys are comulative and the effects usually show at minimum of ten years after," Dizon said.
EWC's initiatives to assess the chemical components of toys in the whole country started since 2008.
In previous studies, Dizon said some big and small malls in the city had violated the standards set to them such as selling toys and other children items that have accreditation from FDA and license to sell wherein they sell at as a bargain or sale to attract many consumersfrom buying these materials that possibly have toxic elements.
"Verified toys are usually at a higher price. So as responsible consumer, we should always ask ourselves why the mall put the item at a lower price," he said.
The issue of selling unauthorized toys, Dizon said, should be seen as a major concern of every local government units and business sector in the country as the health of the children is being put at risk.
He added that the complete study will be finalized this month and the results will be publicly released at the first week of October in their website.