Group finds unregistered silver jewelry cleaners sold in Manila

Unregistered and potentially deadly silver jewelry cleaners are being sold in Manila's Quiapo district, an ecological group said Sunday.

Such products may be laced with cyanide, a highly toxic chemical, and are not registered with the Food and Drugs Administration, the EcoWaste Coalition warned.

The group said the jewelry cleaners with no market authorization are being sold in Divisoria and Quiapo for P45 to P60 per bottle.

It said it bought samples of China-imported 60 ml "Hallo Gold & Silver Cleaner" at one store in Quiapo.

“(This raises) the specter of cyanide poisoning either due to accidental or intentional exposure via ingestion or inhalation,” said coordinator Anthony Dizon.

Dizon said the product "had no information about its manufacturer, chemical composition and market registration with the FDA if any.”

Also, he said the disposal of cyanide-laced waste-water into the sink can also pollute and damage the marine environment.

Citing a joint advisory of the Departments of Health and Environment and Natural Resources in 2010, the group said unregistered silver cleaners are a “threat to health and safety,” necessitating “the strict prohibition on their sale in the market.”

Also, Dizon said they found a street vendor in Divisoria selling silver jewelry items with potentially toxic cleaners on the side. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News