TOXICS and waste watchdog BAN Toxics has warned the public to practice due diligence when purchasing China-made cheap AA batteries containing high levels of lead and cadmium. Priced between Php 20 and Php 25 for a two-piece set, Kingever Extra Heavy Duty AA batteries are sold on sidewalks and in bargain shops in commercial hubs such as Divisoria, Manila. A quick google search of said products also reveal they are widely available in popular online shopping platforms such as Shopee, and Lazada.
The battery packaging features a “Do Not Dispose of in Household Trash” symbol due to lead content. The label “carbon” printed on the battery itself indicates that it is a zinc-carbon type battery, which typically does not contain cadmium like Ni-Cd batteries. The same brand and model of AA batteries available on Shopee, from the only shop using the name Kingever Store, claims that the batteries contain 0% lead, mercury, and cadmium, and that they have several certifications, including CE (Conformité Européenne), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), and ISO 9001, among others. Additionally, on Alibaba.com, the official account of China-based Jinjiu Technology Co., Ltd., the company that produces Kingever Batteries, advertises the same claims.
However, BAN Toxics detected high concentrations of lead ranging from 1,250 to 6,500 parts per million (ppm) and cadmium from 160 to 250 ppm using an Olympus Vanta C Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) chemical analyzer.
Both lead and cadmium are identified among the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). Both naturally occurring heavy metals are highly toxic to human health and the environment. Exposure to lead can lead to chronic and serious health issues across all age groups, with children being especially vulnerable to its neurotoxic effects. There are no safe levels of exposure to lead (UNEP, 2020). Cadmium is classified as carcinogenic to humans and may also cause a range of adverse health effects on various organs, including the kidneys, lungs, and bones. Cadmium is highly toxic to humans and the environment, even at very low exposure levels (UNEP, 2020).
BAN Toxics has yet to verify whether the same batteries sold by the Kingever Store on Shopee live up to their claims and does not rule out the possibility that those sold in physical bargain stores may be counterfeit. Nevertheless, BAN Toxics is urging regulatory agencies to investigate whether these products are properly registered and to take appropriate action.
“Batteries like these are essentially common household items, and their sale exposes the public—especially children—to highly toxic chemicals. They are even marketed for use in toys. We urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to take immediate action to ensure public safety,” said Thony Dizon, BAN Toxics Campaign and Advocacy officer.
The group urges the FDA to conduct immediate laboratory tests and analyses on these widely sold commodities. It also calls the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units to speed up disposal infrastructure development and information campaigns on proper e-waste disposal, warning that “e-wastes containing hazardous material, if not properly managed, pose serious risks on human health and the environment.”
The DENR Chemical Control Order (CCO) for cadmium does not address the presence of this chemical in products such as batteries, toys, and electronic equipment. In contrast, the CCO for lead outlines stricter prohibitions on lead-containing products, including toys, paints, and school supplies, among others. To BAN Toxics’ knowledge, there are no specific restrictions in place in the country regarding the use of cadmium and lead in household disposable batteries, unlike in regions such as the European Union, as well as in countries like the United States, Canada, and Japan.
BAN Toxics emphasizes that unregistered and non-compliant products that do not meet safety standards, especially those used in toys, should be immediately removed from the market.
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