EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. £802
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

,
Gul:
as IGUEZ


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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representa

House Bill No, 2802

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,