THE EcoWaste Coalition group advised parents and students to be careful when buying reusable stainless steel water bottles and tumblers.

In test buys conducted in time for the start of School Year 2024-2025, the EcoWaste Coalition detected very high levels of lead on the exterior coatings of some stainless steel water bottles and tumblers procured for P100 to P250 each from retail stores in Caloocan, Manila and Quezon Cities, and from online sellers.

The group said that the presence of lead on the surface coatings of the analyzed water bottles and tumblers is “very disturbing.”

The group citing the World Health Organization, said that lead exposure can have serious consequences for the health of children.

“At high levels of exposure to lead the brain and central nervous system can be severely damaged causing coma, convulsions and even death. Children who survive severe lead poisoning may be left with permanent intellectual disability and behavioral disorders.”

EcoWaste Coalition urged the authorities to take immediate action and remove non-compliant products from the market to avoid lead poisoning hazard involving the children.

The group likewise repeated its call for a full ban on hazardous chemicals in all children’s products, including school materials, and for such products to be properly tested and labeled, stressing mandatory disclosure of chemicals in product.