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 Bill No. _ 3853

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cyanide poisoning occurs when a living organism is exposed to a compound
that produces cyanide ions (CN") when dissolved in water. Cyanide makes the cells
of an organism unable to use oxygen, primarily through the inhibition of cytochrome
¢ oxidase. Inhalation of high concentrations of cyanide causes coma with seizures,
apnea, and cardiac arrest, with death following in a matter of minutes. At lower
doses, loss of consciousness may be preceded by general weakness, giddiness,
headaches, vertigo, confusion, and perceived difficulty in breathing. Exposure to
lower levels of cyanide over a long period results in increased blood cyanide levels,
which can result in weakness and a variety of symptoms, including
permanent paralysis.

Recently, according to a study conducted by the University of the Philippines-
National Poison Management and Control Center, there has been an increasing
public health concern over cases of poisoning attributed to the use of solutions with
cyanide and other toxic substances in cleaning silver jewelry. Analysis of samples
of silver cleaning solutions showed elevated levels of cyanide clearly posing
imminent danger or even death to humans, particularly when accidentally or
deliberately ingested

Ithhas been shown that silver-jewelry cleaning solution-containing cyanide and
other toxic substances as threat to health and safety and therefore there is a need
for the strict prohibition of their sale and use in the market.

In view foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is immediately requested

5

RUFYS B. RODRIGUEZ

4a 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.

House Bill No.__ 3853

AN ACT
BANNING THE PRODUCTION AND SELLING OF SILVER-JEWELRY CLEANING
SOLUTIONS/AGENTS CONTAINING CYANIDE AND OTHER TOXIC
SUBSTANCES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of the Representatives of the Philippines 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 and instill health consciousness among
them.

SEC. 2. It is hereby prohibited for producers or manufacturers of silver jewelry
cleaning solutions/agents in the Philippines to use cyanide or other toxic substances
in the production or formulation of their cleaning products.

SEC. 3. All commercial establishment such as jewelry shops and other retail outlets
and ambulant vendors are prohibited from selling and/or dispensing unregistered
and/or unlabeled silver-jewelry cleaning solutions/agents.

SEC. 4. It is hereby mandated that all silver-jewelry cleaning solutions/agents be
tested by the Department of Trade and Industry and or Department of Health to
ensure that they are cyanide free before being sold in the Philippine market.

SEC. 5. Penal Provisions - Any person, whether juridical or natural, caught
producing silver-jewelry cleaning solutions/agents that contain cyanide or other toxic
substances 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 (6) years nor more than ten (10) years.

Any person, whether juridical or natural, caught selling unregistered and/or
unlabeled silver-jewelry cleaning solutions/agents or those that were not tested by
the proper authorities 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,