Environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition flagged a toxic element found in campaign tarpaulins and renewed calls for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ban its use in election material.
In a March 11 report, the group said it found “alarming” levels of cadmium from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) posters of presidential candidates in the May elections. Cadmium is a metallic element used to color and stabilize plastic such as tarpaulins.
The tests were commissioned by EcoWaste and performed by SGS, a chemical testing company. Cadmium was found in the campaign material of labor leader Leody de Guzman, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Vice President Leni Robredo.
The group said they were unable to gather cadmium data from the tarpaulins of presidential bets Ernesto Abella, Norberto Gonzales, Faisal Mangondato and Jose Montemayor Jr.
The results show that the presidential campaigns’ multicolored tarpaulin coatings contained cadmium ranging from 607 to 775 parts per million (ppm). The same tarpaulins also had white plastic sheets that reached 384 to 546 ppm.
Although there is no local limit for safe cadmium use, EcoWaste noted that these amounts far exceed the 100 ppm limit in Europe.
The nonpartisan coalition warned that burning cadmium-laden tarpaulins “will trigger the formation and release of persistent organic pollutants.” The UN also noted in 2019 that in developing countries, cadmium-laden products are usually piled in landfills or incinerated, releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
The World Health Organization reported that long-term exposure to high levels of cadmium can cause cancer, targeting the bones, kidney and lungs.
“A supplemental regulation phasing out cadmium in plastics will be in sync with the global consensus to address the full lifecycle of plastic — including its production, design and disposal, to end plastic pollution,” said campaigner Coleen Salamat.
Public health risk
Despite its hazardous effects, there is no local law limiting cadmium in campaign material.
In 2021, Comelec released Resolution no. 10730 which specified the proper placement and size of campaign paraphernalia. While the resolution calls on candidates to use “recyclable and environment friendly” material, it did not limit the use of toxic substances such as cadmium.
The substance is flagged by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for its “unreasonable risk to public health, workplace and the environment.”
Cadmium compounds are also in the agency’s priority chemical list, which means users and manufacturers must be registered to the DENR. Violators could pay up to P50,000 for not reporting cadmium use.
The DENR also released last year a Chemical Control Order for cadmium and the compounds it forms. However, the CCO does not cover cadmium already in products and materials as it “may be covered by other regulatory agencies.”
EcoWaste Zero Waste Campaigner Jove Benosa underscored the need for both election and environmental authorities to enforce safety guidelines in campaign material.
“We hope the Comelec will be supported by competent agencies so it can require —, not only encourage —, the use of zero waste and toxics-free campaign material in future elections,” Benosa added.
This is not the first time that the coalition sounded the alarm against toxic cadmium in election paraphernalia. Chemical analyses from past elections in 2013, 2016 and 2018 revealed more than 1,000 ppm of cadmium in PVC posters.
The group also flagged the presence of cadmium in plastic items sold during Chinese New Year and political posters installed during Valentine’s Day.
As the election draws near, Salamat called on candidates to prioritize environmental issues and protection in their agenda.
“Win or lose, we hope candidates, especially those eyeing national posts, will support our push to get cadmium and other toxic chemical additives out of plastics for the sake of public health and the environment,” she added.
