SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

4239

EXPLANATORY NOTE

House Bill No.

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 36 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 earnestly requested

RUFUS B. RO! UEZ

whe
MAXIMO 6, RADRIGUEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH 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. 4299

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 House of 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.

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. Itis 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 (16) days after its publication in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,