Public warned vs toxic-laced lucky charm bracelets

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition has warned the public against lucky charm bracelets containing the cancer-causing chemical cadmium, which are being sold in stalls in Manila in time for the Chinese New Year celebration.

The EcoWaste said its team was able to buy red string and beaded bracelets adorned with a tiger figure from vendors in Binondo and Quiapo for up to P250 each.

The group said its laboratory analysis showed that the sample items contain high levels of cadmium, a metal substance that is harmful to human organs and may cause cancer.

The World Health Organization has listed cadmium among the 10 chemicals of public health concern, along with other metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury.

The EcoWaste said of the nine lucky charm bracelets that its team subjected to advanced X-ray fluorescence analyzer, eight were detected to have “excessive levels” of cadmium.

Of the eight samples, one had 5,800 parts per million of cadmium while the rest contained cadmium of up to 389,900 ppm, the EcoWaste said.

The group pointed out that the European Union restricts cadmium in the metal parts of jewelry and imitation jewelry at 0.01 percent by weight or around 100 ppm.

EcoWaste’s chemical safety campaigner Thony Dizon said consumers risked being exposed to cadmium through skin contact or ingestion.

Instead of lucky charm items, Dizon advised the public to go for time-honored recipes for good health, fortune and happiness such as healthy lifestyle, hard work, prayers and kind deeds.