FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House BillNo.__3851
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Lead poisoningis a medical condition caused by increased levels of
the heavy metal lead in the body. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes
and is toxic to many organs and tissues _ including
the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems. It
interferes with the development of the nervous system and is therefore particularly
toxic to children, causing potentially permanent leaming and behavior disorders.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, headache, anemia, irritability, and in severe
cases seizures, coma, and death.

Lead exposure can occur from contact with lead in air, household dust, soil,
water, and commercial products.

Unfortunately, some lead compounds are colorful and are used widely in
paints, and lead paint is a major route of lead exposure. Deteriorating lead paint can
produce dangerous lead levels in household dust and soil.

Recent laboratory tests conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition show that 69
percent of household enamel paints sold in the country exceed the standard for lead
levels in paint set by the United States. 24 out of 35 paint samples the group bought
in local hardware shops and sent to the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Ohio for
testing exceeded the US lead in paint standard of 90 parts per million (ppm). More
than one half of the samples had lead levels 100 times greater than the US standard.

However, the fact that 12 out of 35 of the paints tested — including a yellow
paint, a color that is often high in lead — meet the current US standard is proof that
Substitutes for lead in paint do exist in the Philippines and that it is technologically
and economically feasible to manufacture high-quality paints without lead additives.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is caress requested.

fiat

B. RODR\

RA B. an JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

3851

House Bill No.__“

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF LEAD IN THE PRODUCTION OF PAINTS IN THE
COUNTRY, MANDATING THAT IMPORTED PAINTS BEING SOLD IN THE
COUNTRY BE TESTED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE LEAD-FREE AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to protect and
Promote the right to health of the people.

SEC. 2. It is hereby prohibited for paint producers in the Philippines to use any form
of lead or lead additives in the production or formulation of their paint products.

SEC. 3. It is hereby mandated that all imported paints from foreign countries be
tested by the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that they are lead free
before being sold in the Philippine market.

SEC. 4. Penal Provisions — Any person, whether juridical or natural, caught
producing paint that contain any form of lead be held liable to pay a fine of not less
than Five hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000) nor more than One Million Pesos
(P1,000,000) and imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more than ten (10)
years.

Any person, whether juridical or natural, caught selling paint that was not
tested by the proper authorities and contain lead shall be held liable to pay a fine of


not less than Five hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000) nor more than One Million
Pesos (P1,000,000) and imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more than
ten (10) years.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules — The Department of Health and the Department of
Trade and Industry shall issue such orders, rules and regulations and other
issuances as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause — If for any reason, any part of or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause — Any law, executive order, letter of instruction, rules and
regulations, circulars, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with any of the

provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,