DILG issues warning on harmful chemical

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Interior and Local Government yesterday directed governors, mayors and barangay captains to ensure that producers of leather furniture and footwear within their localities do not use biocide dimethyl fumarate or DMF in their products.

DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno issued the directive after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, sought the DILG’s assistance to ensure that products containing DMF are not made available in the market.

Puno said the DTI’s request was in support of the decision of the European Union to immediately ban all products containing DMF following a number of health risk cases related to the chemical.

DMF causes severe allergic reactions, including skin itching, irritation, redness and burns, and in some cases, acute respiratory difficulties.

Puno said local officials should take the lead in informing the public of the health risks of DMF.

The DILG secretary added that if products containing DMF are already in the market, these have to be recalled immediately

DMF is used as a biocide or fungicide to protect against moulds that cause products such as furniture or shoes to deteriorate. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM (THE FREEMAN)