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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

2573

House Bill No.,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The environmental group EcoWaste Coalition released a US-based report
entitled “Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain’s Chemical Smell’ showing the
deadly effects of shower curtains made of polyvinyl chloride, more commonly
known as PVC, to human health. This report was based on tests conducted on
PVC shower curtains purchased from popular US retail shops. According to the
Center for Health, Environment and Justice report, shower curtains emit as many
as 108 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air that were found to be
carcinogenic and may cause damage to the human's liver, respiratory,
reproductive and central nervous systems.

Aside from the VOCs, other chemicals such as phthalates and organotins
were found in PVC shower curtains. Phthalates, also found in plastic medical
devices, have been linked to reproductive problems including shorter pregnancy
duration and premature breast development in girls, sperm damage and impaired
reproductive development in males. The dangerous group of chemicals is used to
make PVC plastic soft and pliable. Meanwhile, organotins are chemicals used as
heat stabilizers. But since they are not chemically bound to the curtains, they can
easily migrate from within the curtain to its surface. Exposure to this kind of
chemical may affect the skin, liver, the reproductive, immune and central nervous
systems.

Chemicals such as toluene, cyclohexanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, phenol
and ethyl benzene were also found in the air for 28 days after a shower curtain
was unwrapped and hung. The report disclosed that the concentrations of these
chemicals were likely to be greater during and after a shower.

Indoor air pollution has been ranked by the US Environmental Protection
Agency as the fourth in cancer risk. The World Health Organization and American


Lung Association has included indoor air pollution as one of the major risks to
human health and among the 13 environmental problems facing the world.

The group's own research disclosed that 90 percent of shower curtains sold
in leading malls and retail stores in Metro Manila were made of PVC. Some of
them were not even properly labeled.

Hence, this bill seeks to ban the sale of shower curtains made of polyvinyl
chloride, more commonly known as PVC, in the country.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

RUFUS B. RIGUEZ

Mi

MAXIMO 8. RODRIGUEZ, 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. 2573

AN ACT
BANNING THE SALE OF SHOWER CURTAINS MADE OF POLYVINYL
CHLORIDE, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS PVC IN THE PHILIPPINES

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. -It is the declared policy of the state to
regulate consumer products that contribute to indoor air pollution and cause harm
to health and the environment.

Section 2. Ban on Sale of Shower Curtains made of Polyvinyl
Chloride more commonly known as PVC. The sale of shower curtains made of
polyvinyl chloride, more commonly known as PVC, is prohibited.

Section. 3. Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Trade and
Industry shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective enforcement of
the provisions of this Act

Section 4. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act or any
Part thereof be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable
from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly

Section 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,