Those toilet deodorizers can cause cancer

This e-mail was passed on to us by the friend of a friend. It’s about those toilet deodorizers – and trust us, it’s not just toilet rumor. They’re supposed to make our toilets odor-free but something stinks. Smell, er, read this:

Are you familiar with those round-shaped crystalline toilet deodorizers? Bet you know of at least one bathroom (might even be your own) that is "freshened" by one of these deodorizers. But what you probably don’t know is that these products contain 99 percent paradichlorobenzene (PDCB), a white crystalline compound used as a germicide and an insecticide that can cause cancer and nervous system disorders.

I used to be a regular user of a brand-name toilet deodorizer. It was a staple in my grocery list. But after seeing an article in a recent issue of Good Housekeeping Philippines Magazine, which talked about the harmful effects of PDCB blocks, I decided to find out more as I know of others who have been using these blocks in their bathrooms and closets/cabinets for years. Before, I would have headache bouts and realized later that the deodorizer block might have contributed to them as the headaches ceased when I stopped using the deodorizer. I even know of a mother whose two kids stopped having asthma attacks when she discontinued the use of these deodorizer blocks. So I checked out some websites and here are some data I found in a UK medical site:

Paradichlorobenzene (PDCB) is a white solid crystal with a wet oily surface. It is volatile and gives off penetrating mothball-like odors. Paradichlorobenzene is commonly found in mothballs, moth crystals, and in diaper, toilet and room deodorizers. Inhalation may result in headache, swollen eyes, stuffy head, anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, and vomiting. Throat irritation has also been reported. Symptoms from ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, and methemoglobianemia (which interferes with the uptake of oxygen). A quick search for janitorial supplies on the web would appear to show that such products are still used, although there are many "non-para" alternatives being offered, using quartenary ammonium compounds, surfactants and cyanuric acid, among others. A trawl around a couple of the main supermarkets in the UK failed to find any toilet blocks declaring PDCB presence. Indeed, many specifically stated that they did not contain PDCB.

You can also click on these links for more info: www.healthcentral.com or my.webmd.com.

I also found out that PDCB has been banned in many European countries for over 30 years now. Talk about the Philippines being so way behind! I don’t understand how something so harmful is allowed for public consumption in the Philippines – paging BFAD or DOH! Most bathrooms in the Philippines don’t have proper ventilation (they’re small and have no windows) so chances are, you inhale PDCB every time you’re doing your business inside your enclosed – and probably stuffy – bathroom. Plus, while these toilet deodorizers have their paradichlorobenzene content indicated on their labels, they lack information on what to do in case of an ingestion or inhalation.

Deodorizer blocks may be the cheapest way to eliminate undesirable odors, but if they’re harmful, then they’re not worth buying/using. By passing this message around by e-mail, we can make others aware of the danger these products may bring. Your health may not be affected now, but constant use of these harmful products may cause serious medical problems in the future.

Now, you know what else to flush out of your toilet.

* * * Texting all texters!

You may one day wake up and find this text message on your cell phone:

I’m Atty. Nico Ang (or some other assumed name), Pagcor Communication and Information officer. I inform you that your cell no. won here last pre-draw. Call me now for more details. Thanks and God bless.

Nico Ang 639164115174

If you call up the number above, the man on the other end of the line will tell you, almost in conspiratorial whispers, that you had just won P3 million at a Pagcor draw. And he tells you to listen carefully to what you must do to claim your millions. He will ask for your name and address (so he can write the check) and then he’ll order you to scratch four Globe cards (the cheapest priced, which is P250), which are what they will use to be able to communicate with you. At this point, you get the gut feel that this must be one of those schemes hatched by people who sell pre-paid cards. But there’s more.

A check with Pagcor (call 521-15-42) will tell you that there’s no such Atty. Nico Ang employed in Pagcor. And the operator, who must be swamped with calls, will tell you that this text scam has been going on for sometime now. He will then connect you to the Security Staff (local 117 or 118) if you want more info.

"Pagcor came out last year with ads in the newspapers warning people about this text scam," Gerry Ganapan tells us. "They will ask for your bank account number and tell you to deposit 10 percent of your money to their account. They usually prefer to transact business via ATM."

According to Cynthia Evidente of Globe Public Relations, there’s no way anyone can trace Atty. Nico Ang (or whatever alias was used) because he used a pre-paid line. In this case, it could have been a Globe or a Touch Mobile (Islacom) line that he used.

But how did that scumbag get hold of your cell number?

"They do it by random selection of numbers," says Ganapan. "It’s a hit-and-miss thing, so if you respond, they’ve got a prospective victim."

Message sent. We hope all ye texters out there got the message loud and clear.