EcoWaste urges government to ban silver cleaners from market

Environmental groups have urged the government
to remove from the market silver cleaners containing cyanide and other
toxic chemicals.

In a letter sent to Environmental Management Bureau Director Juan
Miguel Cuna, the EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator
Alternatives (GAIA) and Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) sought to
eliminate silver cleaners from the market because of numerous
incidences of cyanide poisoning.

“Silver cleaners containing sodium or potassium cyanide salts and
other toxic substances continue to cause preventable mortalities among
young children who mistake them for water, and adults who purposely
drink them to commit suicide,” said retired chemist Sonia Mendoza,
chair of MEF.

An advisory issued by the Department of Health (DOH) last month said
cyanide found in most silver cleaning solutions is classified as
poisonous and can cause serious injury and even death.

“Cyanide is rapidly absorbed in the body and blocks utilization of
oxygen in all organs,” the advisory said. “Poisoning with silver
jewelry cleaner is a life-threatening condition and should be treated
in the hospital as a medical emergency.”

Posted in: silver cleaner containing toxic substances