Watchdog warns of toxins in PVC flooring

MANILA, Philippines - Polyvinyl chloride or PVC flooring available locally contain heavy metals that are linked to irreversible brain damage and other health disorders, environment watchdog EcoWaste Coalition said yesterday.

Sonia Mendoza, coordinator of the group’s task force on plastics, said they  analyzed 20 samples from general merchandise stores near or within public markets in Makati, Manila, Pasay, Quezon City and Pateros.

She said PVC flooring – sold in various colors, designs and thickness at prices starting from P65 per meter – became popular as a home improvement product (HIP) because it is attractive, affordable, waterproof and convenient to install and maintain.

“Consumers are clueless to the many synthetic chemical additives on plastic vinyl flooring materials that pose danger to children’s health, especially to babies and toddlers who spend a lot of time indoors, often playing or sleeping on the floor,” Mendoza said.

All the 20 samples had considerable levels of lead, a potent neurotoxin that can bring about permanent brain damage; and other “chemicals of concern” such as antimony, arsenic, cadmium and chromium, which have been linked to birth and reproductive disorders, learning disabilities, liver damage, asthma and cancer, she added.

“We urge the government to build on our initial findings, conduct further studies of chemicals in vinyl flooring and come up with a regulation on the most common HIPs that will protect the health of children, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups,” said Thony Dizon, coordinator of Ecowaste’s Project Protect.