Looking for cute tumblers? The EcoWaste Coalition has issued a warning to the public to avoid buying fake Labubu tumblers, as they contain a dangerous amount of lead.
Photo: EcoWaste Coalition/Facebook
On November 25, the non-profit advocacy group released a press release regarding counterfeit Labubu-decorated tumblers found to have toxic levels of lead.
“After detecting lead in Labubu-inspired polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic toys, the toxics watchdog group this time found colorful Labubu-inspired tumblers decorated with paints containing lead above the 90 parts per million (ppm) limit,” it wrote, stating that out of the six unofficial Labubu tumblers bought for P275 each, toxic lead was screened on three colors.
It added: “Lead above 1,000 ppm was detected on three tumblers, particularly on the pink, red, and yellow colors that were screened for lead using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer.”
Lead, a toxic metal that is found in the Earth’s crust, is used in many products such as paints, toys, glassware, and more. However, the widespread global consumption of lead has severe effects not only on the environment but also on public health.
Exposure to lead poses a hazardous risk to health, particularly to young children and pregnant women. According to the World Health Organization, high levels of lead can cause severe damage to the central nervous system, potentially resulting in convulsions, coma, and even death.
Meanwhile, children who survive severe lead poisoning may suffer lifelong consequences, including permanent intellectual disability and behavioral disorders.
Lead exposure, even at a small dosage, can be harmful to one’s overall health. It can cause anemia, hypertension, renal impairment, and toxicity to the reproductive organs.
Previously, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued Administrative Order No. 2013-24, also known as the Chemical Control Order (CCO), which mandated the complete phase-out of lead-containing decorative paints by December 2016 and industrial paints by December 2019.
This order also emphasizes the mandatory use of lead-free paints in manufacturing children’s products, such as toys, tumblers, crafting sets, and more.
The advocacy group reminded consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing reusable tumblers: “While reusable tumblers are a great substitute to the ubiquitous single-use bottles and cups, these eco-friendly alternatives must be safe from hazardous materials like lead in paint, which can chip over time with repeated use and which may end up being ingested by the user who is not aware of the health risk.”
ALSO READ: Chako Lab: These Fun, Quirky, and Colorful Water Bottles Will Be Your Newest Obsession!
