Stop to sale of poisonous silver cleansers cited

Green advocates lauded the Philippine National Police (PNP) for its speedy action to stop the illegal sale of poisonous silver jewelry cleansers in Manila.

EcoWaste Coalition cited Police Supt. James Afalla, station commander of Central Market Sta. Cruz Police Station, for acting upon the group’s request for law enforcement action against shops and vendors selling banned silver jewelry cleanser.

Pursuant to the joint advisory by the Department of Health (DoH) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the PNP confiscated 18 pieces of unregistered silver jewelry cleaner last week.

The joint advisory signed by DoH Secretary Enrique Ona and DENR Secretary Ramon Paje last December prohibits the sale of unregistered and unlabelled silver jewelry cleanser containing toxic substances, including cyanide, a deadly poison.

“We commend the PNP, particularly Police Station 3 of Manila, for their swift action against illegal silver cleaning products that pose a direct assault to public health and safety. Sustained police action is key to saving lives from this toxic threat,” EcoWaste president Roy Alvarez said.

The group had earlier appealed to PNP Director-General Raul Bacalzo for police action to halt the injuries and deaths arising from the accidental or suicidal intake of banned silver jewelry cleaning agent.

Manufacturers and distributors of silver jewelry cleaning agents, which fall under the category of "household hazardous substance," are required by law to register their products with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before these can be lawfully sold in the market.

According to a list obtained by the EcoWaste from the FDA last February 22, only the following brands of "stainless/metal polish" are duly registered with the agency: 3M, Kiwi, Pledge, Primo, Suma Silver D8 Liquid Cleaner, Suma Stainless Steel Polish (for professional use only) and Activ M1 Instant Acid Silver Destainer (for industrial use only).

Posted in: toxics