Rainy first day of school in parts of Luzon and Mindanao
According to the Department of Education, an estimated 28 million students officially opens the school year 2017-2018 today. As students and teachers head back to school, rains will prevail in some parts of Luzon and Mindanao.
According to PAGASA, the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat is still affecting the western section of Northern and Central Luzon, while the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is affecting Southern Mindanao. Due to these weather systems, cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced in the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Maguindanao, Soccsksargen and Davao Del Sur including Davao City. In the rest of the country including Metro Manila, partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail except for isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
In an interview with PAGASA Weather Forecaster Samuel Duran, he mentioned that morning rains will be more frequent as Habagat prevails.
However, Duran clarified that there is no weather disturbance in the county within the next three days.
Rain gear such as boots, coats and umbrellas are meant to protect your kids during the rainy days, but did you know that some of these items may harm your children’s health?
In a 2013 study conducted by the environmental watchdog, EcoWaste Coalition, 23 out of 33 rainwear products from Divisoria tested positive from the toxic chemicals, lead and cadmium.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead is a heavy metal with a low melting point, and is easily molded and shaped. It is usually used as an element in pipes, storage batteries, pigments, paints
and vinyl products. However, it causes loss of cognition, shortening of attention span, alteration of
behavior, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, hypertension, renal impairment, immune-toxicity and
toxicity to the reproductive organs. Oftentimes, these effects are permanent.
Meanwhile, cadmium is a human carcinogen and has toxic effects on the kidney, the skeletal and the respiratory systems.
Among the items analyzed by Ecowaste were 25 raincoats, five (5) umbrellas and three (3) pairs of rainboots that the group bought for P50 – P250 each from 10 discount shops situated at the following:
11/88 Shopping Mall, 168 Shopping Mall, 999 Shopping Mall and the Tutuban Prime Block Mall.
The group detected excessive levels of lead: up to 15,500 parts per million (ppm) of lead and up to 717 ppm of cadmium in 70% of the samples.
According to Aileen Lucero, Acting National Coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition, these chemicals are
released into the environment and could affect kids through ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption.
“Their hand-to- mouth behavior and their habit of sitting on the ground or the floor can result to greater childhood exposure to various toxins.”
To prevent toxic exposure, the EcoWaste Coalition advised consumers to read product labels carefully
and avoid PVC materials. These materials are known for having strong chemical odors as they contain numerous toxic additives like cadmium and lead used as pigments or stabilizers.
The group also advised parents to regularly check the condition of the products used by their kids for
any signs of wear and tear, and to frequently remind kids to wash their hands thoroughly, especially
before snacks or meals.
REFERENCES:
http://ecowastecoalition.blogspot.com/2013/06/ecowaste-coalition- rain-gear- for-kids.html
http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/cadmium/en/
http://www.who.int/ceh/publications/leadguidance.pdf
On this first day of June, warm and humid weather will continue in the Philippines as the Ridge of High Pressure Area affects Northern Luzon. This weather system brings partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening over Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Despite the cloudiness seen over the East Philippine Sea, State Meteorologist Jori Loiz says that the country will remain bagyo-free this week.
He reminds students to bring umbrellas to combat direct sun rays and possible thunderstorms that usually occur in the same time as afternoon classes are dismissed, or in the evening.
Meanwhile, this June, here are the various weather systems expected to influence local weather conditions.
As elementary and high school students attend school this new academic year, here’s a quote from renowned politician and philanthropist Nelson Mandela:
