Cheap cell phone cases may contain lead, consumer group warns

Cell phone owners were cautioned Monday against buying cheap cell phone cases sold in Metro Manila's sidewalks, after finding lead in some of them.

 

The EcoWaste Coalition said many of these cell phone cases, made of paint-coated fake snakeskin leather, tested positive for the potentially harmful substance.

 

It said the synthetic leather cell phone cases were sold for as low as P10 along C.M. Recto Avenue in Divisoria, Manila.

 

“Users touch cell phone cases many times a day, unsuspectingly exposing them to lead, which may be transferred to the hands or ingested through hand to mouth or skin contact,” said coordinator Anthony Dizon.

 

Dizon said the lead in the samples could be from plastic stabilizers or paint coatings used in the fake leather products.

 

“If you have bought a lead-containing cellphone case, or if you suspect that you are using a leaded one, please be careful and do keep it away from kids. As a precaution, wash your hands regularly to remove any tiny amount of lead that may remain after touching it,” he said.

 

The group advised buyers to avoid products made of synthetic and brightly colored materials that are not certified lead-free, and opt for products made of non-toxic materials.

 

XRF test

 

The group said a test with an X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer detected 1,390 parts per million (ppm) of lead in one case.

 

It said that sample was also found to have 109 ppm of arsenic and 667 ppm of chromium.

 

California laws indicate lead in leather products should not exceed 300 ppm by weight, and require a warning label placed on items known to contain certain quantities of chemicals of concern, including lead.

 

The group said health studies have linked lead exposure to impaired mental development, learning difficulties and behavioral concerns in children.

 

Lead exposure has also been linked to increased rates of infertility, miscarriage and other birth and reproductive problems in women, and to increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. — TJD, GMA News