Two advocacy groups have teamed up to conduct new series of lead pollution contamination tests to investigate suspected illegal recycling operations in the country.

SEEDS PH, a youth-based environmental advocacy group, announced on Thursday that it is collaborating with Pure Earth Philippines to investigate reports of illegal operations by recyclers of used lead acid batteries or ULAB and smelters that pose a threat to the environment.

In a letter to Pure Earth, SEEDS PH Executive Director Dhel Pulanco mentioned that Dr. Jesus L. Arranza, chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries, reported that illegal recyclers have been operating in several areas in the country—including Valenzuela, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, Cebu, Bacolod, and Davao.

In a recent media interview, Chairman Ramil Mangay of Barangay Dela Paz, San Simon, Pampanga revealed that chemicals are being dumped into the river near the Global Aseana Business Park.

Mangay noted that Global Aseana Business Park only has a warehousing permit.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR began a crackdown on lead smelters last September, following orders from Malacanang.

The DENR has also instructed its regional offices to conduct surveillance and monitoring of illegal smelters.

DENR Assistant Secretary Gilbert Gonzales emphasized that smelters must have complete environmental permits to operate as facilities to ULABs.

According to SEEDS PH, the partnership is also an opportunity to launch a nationwide campaign to work with communities and organizations to develop a national policy on the treatment and recycling of radioactive waste.

It could also be an avenue to discuss occupational safety and health standards for ULAB recycling facilities that can protect both workers and the surrounding communities.

Pure Earth has been identifying and tackling toxic pollutants in the Philippines since 2008 through assessments of contaminated sites; pilot remediations, multi-stakeholder coordination, education, and industrial process reviews.