QUEZON CITY — Amid ongoing safety reviews of Roblox and other online gaming platforms, the EcoWaste Coalition called on the government to also look into the proliferation of knock-off Roblox plastic figures in the market.
“As the authorities tighten their watch on Roblox and other online games amid child exploitation concerns, we also urge the authorities to block the entry of imitation Roblox figure toys with lead-containing parts, which may pose lead-poisoning risks,” said Aileen Lucero, national coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition, noting “childhood lead exposure can irreparably damage the brain and nervous system, and is linked to aggressive and violent behavior later in life.”
“Because lead causes permanent, irreversible damage to a child’s developing brain and body, exposure prevention is the only solution. Since no amount of lead exposure is safe, we must strictly eliminate all sources, like contaminated toys, to protect children before harm occurs,” said Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol, Environmental Health and Global Health Security Flagship Program head, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health – Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI).
The toxics watchdog group sounded the alarm after conducting chemical screenings on imitation Roblox figures being sold in Binondo, Manila, particularly at toy stores in popular budget shopping malls.
As part of its advocacy to expose lead-containing products, inform consumers and regulators, and control, if not eliminate, the risks that such products pose, the EcoWaste Coalition bought 14 sets of Roblox figures, all made in China, which are sold for P100 to P250 per set. All in all, 60 assorted Roblox figures were collected.
Using an Olympus Vanta M Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, the EcoWaste Coalition screened the 60 Roblox figures for heavy metals, particularly lead, a toxic chemical associated with stunted growth, learning disabilities, lowered IQ, and behavioral problems, as well as juvenile delinquency and violent crime in later years.
While lead was not detected on the hard plastic parts, 28 out of the 60 Roblox figures analyzed had lead contamination in their PVC head accessories. These accessories, which can be easily detached, handled, or chewed by children, contain lead levels up to 1,602 parts per million (ppm), with 11 items exceeding 1,000 ppm.
US regulations, particularly the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, prohibit lead in children’s toys, limiting total lead content in accessible parts to 100 ppm and lead in paint to 90 ppm. The DENR-issued Chemical Control Order (CCO) for lead and its compounds also prohibits the use of lead in the manufacture of toys.
All samples provided small-parts choking warnings, but lacked any mention of lead hazards on the labels. The samples were all inadequately labeled, the EcoWaste Coalition observed.
While the labels identify China as the country of manufacture and provide for age grading and choking hazard alert, the other mandatory labeling requirements, as per RA 10620 or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act, are missing such as the manufacturer’s markings, the License to Operate (LTO) number issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), instructional literature, and the item, model, stock keeping unit (SKU) number.
The EcoWaste Coalition will duly notify the FDA about its findings and reiterate the necessity of removing lead-contaminated Roblox toys from the market to protect children.
