From Inquirer.net
Government efforts to ban toluene-based products in the Philippines have tightened, as the country’s chief drug agency- The Dangerous Drugs Board has extended stringent surveillance on cement products containing full concentrations of toluene; a highly addictive and dangerous chemical solvent found in gasoline, dyes, detergents, and explosives.
Agency officials are monitoring, processing, and recording all of the ingredients used in the manufacture of contact cement to “ensure that the product has an additive that would prevent it from being abused by kids and young adults.”
Inhalant abuse continues to be one of the country’s most prominent health issues with toluene based contact cement (more commonly referred to as ‘rugby’ by users) contributing the greatest threat, “drawing users for its aromatic and additive properties.”
Cement manufacturers are now required to incorporate at least 5% Mustard Oil content into their product; or risk stifling legal penalties resulting in monetary fines or incarceration.
By adding just a small amount of mustard oil to contact cement, the attractive properties of toluene are significantly reduced and replaced with unpleasant odors specific to mustard oil.
“The regulation also orders manufacturers to place the mustard oil additive on product labels, cartons, and containers;” with the goal of lowering ‘rugby’ abuse rates among adolescents.
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