'Labubu' tumblers flagged for containing toxic lead. Photo by EcoWaste Coalition

MANILA — Colorful water tumblers featuring the popular toy character Labubu may be pleasing to the eye, but an advocacy group has warned that some contain high levels of toxic lead.

In a statement, EcoWaste Coalition said several Labubu-inspired tumblers decorated with paints were detected with lead above the 90 parts per million (ppm) limit set by the government.

The group reported that out of six unofficial Labubu tumblers it purchased for P275 each, three contained lead levels exceeding 1,000 ppm, as detected using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer.

EcoWaste Coalition said lead exposure even in small amounts is hazardous to human health, noting that there is no known safe level of lead exposure.

"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," the advocacy group said in a statement. 

Lead causes long-term harm in adults, with young children particularly vulnerable to its toxic effects, according to the World Health Organization.

Last month, EcoWaste found "dangerously high" levels of toxic lead-containing paints in several reusable water bottles purchased online and in select retail stores across Metro Manila and neighboring areas.

High levels of toxic lead found in some reusable water bottles

SUGGESTIONS FOR GOVERNMENT, IMPORTERS, SELLERS

EcoWaste said to protect children's health, the national government should name the regulatory agency in charge of enforcing the lead paint ban on consumer products such as water tumblers, including the removal from the market of non-compliant ones. 

It also urged importers to only bring in products with authentic certificates of conformity to the 90 ppm total lead limit for paints. It also called on retailers and online sellers to demand such certificates from suppliers before selling painted water tumblers.

Consumers should also insist on their right to product labeling information, as well as their right to quality and non-hazardous products, the group said.

An administrative order by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources phased out lead-containing decorative and industrial paints in December 2016 and December 2019, respectively, EcoWaste noted.

"A supplemental issuance by the Environmental Management Bureau affirmed the mandatory use of paints without added lead in the manufacture of toys and related children’s products after the said phase-out deadline in 2016," it said.

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