Toxic Christmas decor
MANY homes, schools, offices and other establishments across the Philippines are now adorned with “parol” and other Christmas decorations.
However, the problem is that some of these decorations may contain harmful chemicals and other pollutants. threatening the health and safety of the people.
Some Christmas lanterns were found to contain the chemical element “cadmium,” which exceeded the 100 parts per million (ppm) set by the European Union for items made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic.
The items were bought in shops in Manila’s Binondo and Tondo districts, Caloocan City’s Monumento area and Quezon City, Cubao district.
The World Health Organization (WHO), on the other hand, classifies cadmium as a carcinogen or cancer-causing agent and may affect a person’s kidneys.
Other Christmas decorations “may contain ingredients or components that pose a threat to our health as well as the environment.”
It is advisable to buy lanterns made of plant-based materials, such as bamboo, coconut husk and palm leaves.
Many quarters said that the proliferation of Christmas lanterns made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic is a major concern in the country.
