Unmasking the Risks of Mercury-Laden Cosmetics
As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and thus subjective; but in some countries, the ideal of beauty begins with flawless, fair-toned skin. Unscrupulous beauty product sellers are taking advantage of this trend. Due to the high cost of cosmetic treatments, consumers often seek cheaper alternatives, usually found over the counter or on online shopping platforms at a lower price. However, some beauty products on the market contain ingredients that can have adverse effects on health.
Skin-lightening products, also known as skin bleaching products, aim to lighten skin by reducing melanin, a dark pigment that increases with sun exposure. These products often contain harmful ingredients such as mercury compounds. Being exposed to mercury can lead to kidney and nervous system damage, skin issues, and poses a particular risk to unborn babies if the mother is exposed to methylmercury.
Related: Study says traces of Mercury, Chromium found in cosmetics
In the Philippines, sales of cosmetics containing harmful substances still continue despite restrictions on their trade.The EcoWaste Coalition, a non-profit organization based in Quezon City, Philippines, is advocating for concerted action to safeguard women from mercury exposure originating from illicit skin-lightening products.
These products, falsely claimed to help achieve flawless skin, contain mercury, posing serious health risks such as kidney and nervous system damage, skin discoloration, and increased susceptibility to infections. Particularly concerning is the impact on women of childbearing age, as mercury exposure during pregnancy can result in severe health issues for the unborn baby, including brain damage and congenital malformations.
The Coalition emphasizes the need for collaboration among governmental authorities, businesses, including online sellers, and consumers to halt the importation, distribution, and sale of these hazardous products.
The US FDA has warned against using products with mercury, like skin creams and soaps, often advertised for lightening skin or fighting aging. These products, however, can do more harm than good to the user’s skin and health. Read the label to if a product contains mercury.
Aileen Lucero, the coalition’s National Director, emphasized the need for customs inspectors to prevent the entry of contraband cosmetics, primarily from China, Pakistan, and Thailand. She called for the Bureau of Customs (BOC), with assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to dismantle smuggling operations profiting from the distribution of mercury-laced cosmetics, including online sales.
Health regulators must enforce compliance with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and Minamata Convention on Mercury, according to Lucero, likewise urging FDA regional offices and enforcement units, in collaboration with local government units (LGUs), to ensure banned products are not sold within their jurisdictions.
Related: 7 chemicals in cosmetics that can damage your skin
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include changes in taste, difficulty focusing, hearing changes, blurred vision, shyness, irritability, memory loss, numbness or tingling in extremities, tremors, and depression, according to the proponents against cosmetics containing mercury and other hazardous substances
The EcoWaste Coalition informed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) about the continued proliferation of mercury-containing cosmetics, urging LGUs to take action in coordination with the FDA.
The Coalition conducts market monitoring to identify unsafe products, such as skin whiteners. From November 2023 to date, they observed the unlawful sale of FDA-banned skin-lightening products in various cities across the Philippines. Additionally, they monitor illicit trade on online platforms and raise awareness to combat non-compliance with the law.
SOURCES: https://www.pressenza.com/2024/03/ecowaste-coalition-calls-for-concerted-action-to-protect-women-from-a-highly-preventable-source-of-mercury-exposure/
https://www.who.int/initiatives/elimination-of-mercury-containing-skin-lightening-products
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