I was alarmed to read an article from Philippine Daily Inquirer by Erika Sauler a few days ago on cellphone cases being sold by sidewalk vendors on Recto Avenue in Divisoria at P10 that were found to contain lead. Not that I own one of those fake snakeskin leather cases being sold; I’ve just realized that Kyle possibly has toys/stickers that are not safe.
I ‘ve always been aware of the bad effects of lead to kids that is why I am especially keen when buying toys for Kyle but it has been a while since I last checked his toy box of small cars. The boy received gifts/giveaways from parties and that he buys stickers from school almost every day which could… oh, no… contain lead!
Lead is a neurotoxin that is bad for young children and whose health effects are often permanent.The Ecowaste Coalation group said that “Exposure to lead through skin contact and ingestion can cause mental retardation, learning disabilities, decreased intelligence quotient scores, growth delays and behavioural problems among children.” Lead can also cause anemia, hearing loss and kidney damage. ALARMING. So alarming.
Since I have no technology such as X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer to use in checking, I just rely on signs like the toy’s smell. Kapag mura at may masamang amoy daw at kapag dumidikit ang amoy pintura delikado na!
I’ve doubled checked Kyle’s toys already and discarded some I am having doubts with. I’ve also instructed Grace not to allow Kyle to buy stickers in school. No to cheap but deadly toys!
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