Schools urged: Don’t award ‘toxic’ medals

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has approved the resolution Councilor Alvin Dizon “strongly enjoining” private and public school officials to only use medals that are “child-safe” or those not tainted with lead and other toxic chemicals during their graduation rites.

The child care and learning centers are also urged to heed to the resolution.

In his measure, Dizon likewise strongly urged Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education to issue a memorandum or guidelines to caution all schools in the city, both public and private, to prohibit the use of medals made of lead alloy or those coated in lead-based paint.

He said these medals pose health hazards on the students.

To back up his resolution, Dizon cited a study that found that “even in small amounts, the absorption of lead through inhalation, ingestion, and to some extent skin absorption may cause serious neurological and behavioral problems.”

Months from now, schools will be holding graduation rites and awarding students, which normally comes in the form of medals, to recognize exemplary academic and extra-curricular achievements.

The councilor said it is the primary responsibility of DepEd and CHED to endeavor to transform schools into safe and eco-friendly zones for students where both their health and well-being are given paramount importance.

“This is a serious public health concern that involves our children and youth, thus, it is imperative that our schools and concerned government agencies should take concrete measures to address this health risk to our students to protect their health and well-being,” said Dizon.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead at high levels of acute exposure, attacks the brain and central nervous system and can cause coma, convulsions, and even death.

The consequences of brain injury from exposure to lead in early life are loss of intelligence, shortening of attention span, and disruption of behavior because the human brain has little capacity to repair. These effects are untreatable and irreversible.

Environmental watch group EcoWaste Coalition said schools should be wary of the medals they award to their students during graduation rites as lead can cause permanent brain injury, citing in particular those made of lead alloy or those coated in lead-based paint. (FREEMAN)