SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No. 6851

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 eamestly sought

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
6851

House Bill No.

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,