FDA warns public of purchase use of non-compliant air fresheners

QUEZON CITY, Sept. 28(PIA) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory (FDA Advisory No. 2016-109) - a public health warning against non-compliant air fresheners available in the market.

In the advisory, FDA advises the public against the purchase and use of products which were found to be non-compliant to FDA's Administrative Order No. 311, s. 1977 or the "Labelling Requirements of Hazardous Substances."

The following are the air fresheners:

DIE ZHUANG JASMINE PERFUME AIR FRESHENER 470mL Green Pressurized Can; Die ZHUANG LEMON PERFUME AIR FRESHENER 470mL Yellow Pressurized Can; STICK ON-CAR AIR FRESHENER LAVENDER 35g Plastic Jar; WANJIA AIR FRESHENER LEMON 2x60g Yellow Plastic Jar enclosed in cardboard packaging material; WANJIA AIR FRESHENER JASMINE 60g Plastic Jar with Green Cap; and WANJIA AIR FRESHENER LAVENDER 60g Purple Plastic Jar.

According to the FDA, "the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, sale, offer for sale, transportation, promotion and/or advertisement of these non-compliant products is in direct violation of R.A. 9711."

"The FDA warns the general public against using, buying and storing air fresheners in similar conditions, as these pose imminent hazards and danger to both human and animal health, since there are no clear instructions, warnings or precautions indicated as to the use of these products," the advisoryadded.

As specified in Section 2 of AO No. 311, s. 1977, consumers should be mindful of the following label details when making any purchase:

1. Avoid buying those without instructions in English and/or in Philippine dialects such as Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, etc.

2. The product label should clearly indicate the following information:
a. The name and place of business of the manufacturers, packer, distributor, or seller;

b. The common or usual name or the chemical name (if there is no common or usual name);

c. The signal word "DANGER" on substances which are extremely flammable, corrosive, or highly toxic;

d. The signal word "WARNING" or "CAUTION" on all other hazardoussubstances;

e. An affirmative statement of the principal hazard or hazards, such as: "FLAMMABLE", "VAPOR HARMFUL", "CAUSING BURNS", "HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED" or similar wording to describe the hazard

f. Precautionary measures describing the action to be followed or avoided, such as "Do not take internally", "Avoid breathing dust (or vapor)" "Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged skin contact", "Use only in a well-ventilated area", except when this requirement is modified by regulations;

g. First aid treatment, when necessary or appropriate and supplemented with the statement: "Call a physician immediately":

h. The word "POISON" and the skull and crossbones symbols for any highly toxic substance, or when required by the regulation for special hazardous substance;

i. Instructions for handling and storage of packages requiring special care such as "Keep away from heat or open flame", "Do not expose to heat or store at temperature above 120deg; F" (for pressurized container); and

j. The statement "Keep Out of Reach of Children" or its practical equivalent. If the article is intended for use by children and is not a banned hazardoussubstance, adequate directions for the protection of children should be explicitly stated.

The FDA also advises all consumers to be vigilant of said products. Likewise, retailers of household/urban hazardous substances are warned against selling these products.

Likewise, all local government units and law enforcement agencies were requested to ensure that these products are not sold or made available in their localities or areas of jurisdiction. (FDA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)