Recycling of chemical containers alerts council

The city council is calling on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to look into reports that used toxic chemical containers are being sold in junk shops in the city and end up as water containers in several households.

The council is concerned that recycling these used chemical containers especially as household water receptacles may pose danger to public health. The council said it received reports that these used chemical containers are being used in the blighted areas in the city.

"Some concerned citizens have expressed their apprehension that some empty plastic or steel drums of said hazardous chemical substances and mixtures have apparently been seen on display for sale in some junk shops or similar business entities engaged in the sale of second hand products in Cebu City," the council said.

These containers reportedly come from chemical businesses nationwide and are usually used for safe storage and transport of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures for industrial use.

Chemical contents of these containers allegedly pose both short-term and long-term environmental and health hazards. Short-term acute hazards include grave toxicity by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption, corrosivity or other skin or eye contact hazard.

Meanwhile, long-term environmental hazards signify chronic toxicity upon repeated exposure, carcinogenicity, resistance to detoxification process such as biodegradation, the potential to pollute underground or surface waters, or aesthetically objectionable properties such as offensive odors.

The council has sought the aid of DENR by virtue of the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, which mandates the agency to disseminate information and conduct educational awareness campaign on the effects of chemical substances, mixtures, and wastes on health and environment. - Joeberth M. Ocao