San Jose Del Monte Bulacan – In observance of National Poison Prevention Week 2025, environmental justice organization BAN Toxics intensifies efforts in promoting poison prevention awareness and chemical safety in the community.
Anchored on this year’s theme, “Lasong Umahon sa Pabago-Bagong Panahon: Iba’t Ibang Sektor Magsitugon”, (“Poison Rises in Changing Times: Different Sectors Respond”) BAN Toxics calls for community action against the dangers of toxic exposures.
This builds on the foundation of Presidential Proclamation No. 1777, issued in 2009 by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which declared the fourth week of June as National Poison Prevention Week.
Proclamation No. 1777 was issued in response to the rising cases of poisoning by promoting awareness and the widespread dissemination of information. It aims to empower all sectors of society to recognize the risks, identify symptoms and take proactive steps to prevent poisoning at home and in the community.
In line with this, BAN Toxics organized a Knowledge-Sharing Seminar on Poison Prevention at Home and in Schools as part of its Toxics-Free and Waste-Free Schools Program (TFSP). Around 80 students, teachers, and parents attended the seminar at Benito Nieto Elementary School in Barangay Muzon, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on June 26, 2025.
The seminar aimed to foster a healthy, sustainable, and safe environment by raising awareness about poisoning prevention; mobilizing parents, educators, and local leaders to support safe chemical management; and promoting collaboration among key sectors to protect communities from toxic exposure.
“Preventing poisoning begins with awareness at the grassroots level,” said Thony Dizon, Advocacy and Campaign Officer of BAN Toxics. “Children are especially vulnerable to toxic exposures, with medicines, household items, school supplies, and toys containing hazardous chemicals that pose serious health risks.”
At the seminar, Dr. Annabelle Sinlao, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Environmental Health and Ecology of the Philippine Medical Association, discussed poison prevention at home and in schools, emphasizing that raising awareness and practicing caution are essential steps toward building a safer community.
Here are some images of the seminar and community action:
A 2024 study by BAN Toxics found that 62.64% of 257 sampled plastic toys exceeded established safety limits, containing lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, as well as traces of bromine and chlorine.
In a more recent market sampling conducted by the group this June, a children’s backpack featuring a cartoon character was found to contain 18,900 parts per million (ppm) of lead, while a red-painted water container showed 12,000 ppm, both significantly surpassing the allowable regulatory thresholds.
Other school supplies tested, including pencils, crayons, sharpeners, erasers, plastic envelopes, watercolor sets, and vinyl paper clips, were also found to contain traces of other hazardous chemicals such as arsenic, antimony, barium, cadmium, and chromium.
BAN Toxics continues to be at the forefront of health and environmental advocacy against toxic chemicals in the country. The group demands the government to strengthen regulations on the production and importation of children’s products and calls on the public to exercise caution, especially when purchasing plastic items.
The group pushing for stronger enforcement of the Republic Act No. 10620 or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013 and appeals to the 20th Congress to reintroduce and pass the “Safe and Non-Hazardous Children’s Products Act,” a bill unanimously approved by the 18th Congress in 2017 but left unenacted during the Duterte administration.
“We urge all sectors to come together in addressing toxic exposures in our homes and schools. Every child has the right to a clean, safe, wastes-free and toxics-free environment,” Dizon added. “It is our shared responsibility to ensure that no child suffers from exposure to harmful chemicals.”
Media contact:
Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner
BAN Toxics: 0917-8322616
