IPEN SEA Snapshots May 2020

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May 2020

SEA POs in the Time of COVID-19

Despite most of the public and government attention focused on COVID-19, IPEN Participating Organizations (POs) across the region continued to work on toxics and waste issues that are not necessarily directly linked to the pandemic, with good outcomes at that. Read below for some of these actions.

GOODBYE DENTAL AMALGAM. In a move lauded by environmental groups, the Philippines' Department of Health issued in May guidelines on the phase-out of mercury use in dental procedures. Thony Dizon of EcoWaste Coalition said the new order, “sets a clear path to the country’s transition to mercury-free dentistry. We laud its development in consultation with stakeholders and its eventual adoption as a milestone in the implementation of the Minamata Convention in the Philippines despite the country’s long-overdue ratification of this treaty".

BAN TALCUM POWDER. The Consumers Association of Penang called on Malaysia's Ministry of Health to ban talcum powder and talc-based products. Talc is similar to asbestos in composition and is found in baby powder, eye shadow, blush, and deodorant. Talc is linked to ovarian cancer and respiratory problems. Johnson & Johnson announced in May that it will stop selling its talc-based Johnson’s Baby Powder in the US and Canada. The company has faced thousands of lawsuits from consumers claiming J&J products caused their cancer, and several cases has been ordered by the courts to pay damages.

SHIFT FROM UMBRELLA BAGS. Greeners Action in Hongkong launched its "Umbrella Bags Reduction Accreditation Program" 2020, to encourage the shit from the rampant use of plastic umbrella bags in various establishments. Property companies that have shifted to various alternatives will be recognized and awarded. Such alternatives include placing carpets, placing electrical ground blowers, setting up umbrella spin dryers, allocating more cleaning staff, setting up umbrella stands and recycling used umbrella bags, etc. These alternative practices will not only save costs for the property companies but will also help Mother Earth.

CHLORPYRIFOS AND PARAQUAT BAN. Thailand's Ministry of Industry in May placed toxic pesticides paraquat and chlorpyrifos on the list of hazardous chemicals and banned their use in the country effective June 1. Manufacturers and importers of the chemicals were given 270 days to destroy their stock while a 90-day deadline has been given to farmers to return the chemicals for destruction. The civil society coalition ThaiPan of which IPEN PO, EARTH, is a member is behind this landmark development. Watch the video (in Thai) of their successful campaign prepared by the Thai Pesticide Alert Network.

64th ANNIVERSARY OF THE OFFICIAL DISCOVERY OF MINAMATA DISEASE. The Minamata Disease Victims’ Mutual Aid Association in Japan commemorated the 64th anniversary of the official discovery of Minamata disease last May 1, with a small memorial service at Otomezuka, Minamata City. They also released a statement criticizing the March decision of the High Court rejecting the claims of 8 plaintiffs who suffer from Minamata disease. They vowed to continue the fight to exact accountability from those responsible and achieve justice for the victims.

SNAPSHOTS is a monthly news brief featuring the latest work of IPEN Participating Organizations in the Southeast and East Asia region.

Do you want your latest stories and updates featured in SNAPSHOTS? Share them to our IPEN SEA regional list serve ipen-sea@npogroups.org or email them to lesquillo@ecowastecoalition.org

IPEN SEA Regional Hub: Ecowaste Coalition Philippines
78-A Masigla Extension, Barangay Central, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines
(+632) 8294 4807 / info@ecowastecoalition.org / www.ecowastecoalition.org
Contact Point: Lia Jasmin M. Esquillo, IPEN SEA Regional Coordinator

https://ipen.org

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non profit · Masigla Extension · Quezon City 1100 · Philippines