Campaign against toxic chemicals in schools launched in Phl

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Department of Education (DepEd) has intensified its campaign to keep schools safe from toxic chemicals, a senior government official said today.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said that his office signed a memorandum of agreement with an environmental group BAN Toxics (BT) to help the agency in establishing awareness of toxic chemicals in the school environment and make schools safe for children through various awareness campaigns.

The information campaign will highlight the "Fearsome Five" toxic substances that might be present in schools, namely mercury, lead, cadmium, asbestos, and arsenic, he said, citing that these harmful substances are present in some items and materials normally used by children such as crayons, markers and school bags.

They also hide in furniture and wall paints, lights, fixtures, cleaning materials and the like, possibly exposing children to harm on a daily basis, he added.

The information will be disseminated through teachers' trainings, forums, lectures, exhibits, and student activities, Luistro said.