Mercury in Cosmetics: A Serious Threat to Women and Babies, Too (Aspiring lawmakers urged to craft special law on adulterated and counterfeit cosmetics)
Variants of banned
mercury-contaminated Jiaoli and S’Zitang skin whitening cosmetic, two of the most
popular skin whitening facial creams, being sold in the market.
The unabated sale of skin whitening cosmetics
contaminated with mercury poses a serious threat to the health of Filipino
women and children, including babies in the womb.
The EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and pollution watch group,
cited this toxic threat to women’s and children’s health as the nation
celebrates the International Women’s Day tomorrow, March 8.
“Health authorities, particularly the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), have made considerable efforts to curb the illegal sale
of mercury contaminated cosmetics such as skin lightening or whitening facial
creams,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
“Current efforts have not, however, been adequate to put
an end to the continued proliferation of such dangerous products in the
market. FDA-banned products like Jiaoli and
S’Zitang from China are still being sold with impunity,” he noted.
“As we mark this special day for women, we urge national
and local government agencies to strengthen their collaboration to stop this
unlawful trade through vigorous and sustained law enforcement actions that will
protect our women and children, including the unborn, from the harmful effects
of mercury exposure,” he said.
“As prevailing laws and regulations, including fines and penalties for
non-compliance, are insufficient to stop the sale of these dangerous products, we urge aspiring Senators and District Representatives
to craft a special law on adulterated and counterfeit cosmetics like what Congress
did to curb the spread of spurious medicines,” he suggested.
“Erring importers, manufacturers, distributors and
retailers must be held accountable and brought before the bar to show zero
tolerance for such illicit act,” he emphasized.
Mercury in skin whitening products inhibits the
production of melanin pigment leading to a “fairer” skin tone. However, mercury can cause damage the
nervous, immune and renal systems, and also cause skin discoloration, rashes,
and scarring, as well as reduce dermal resistance to bacterial and fungal
infections.
Mercury can also affect the endocrine and reproductive
systems. Studies have shown that increased
mercury levels in the body have been linked with hormonal and menstrual
disorders, infertility and miscarriage.
“Babies in the womb are not spared as mercury can cross
the placenta during pregnancy and affect the developing brain and nervous system
causing cognitive development problems. Fetuses, infants and young children are
susceptible to mercury toxicity,” Dizon said.
According to the report “Mercury in Women of
Child-Bearing Age in 25 Countries published by the Biodiversity Research
Institute and IPEN, a global NGO network for a toxics-free future that includes
the EcoWaste Coalition, “the harmful effects that can be passed from the mother
to the fetus when the mother’s mercury levels exceed 1 ppm include neurological
impairment, IQ loss, and damage to the kidneys and cardiovascular system.
Mercury in skin whitening products can also contaminate
the environment, including the food chain, the EcoWaste Coalition warned.
Information from the World Health Organization indicates
that “mercury in soaps, creams and other cosmetic products is eventually
discharged into wastewater. The mercury then enters the environment, where it
becomes methylated and enters the food-chain as the highly toxic methylmercury
in fish.”
To protect consumers against mercury in some skin
whitening cosmetics, the EcoWaste Coalition urged Filipinos, especially women
and girls, to take pride in our natural skin complexion.
“There is beauty and dignity in our ‘kayumangging
kaligatan,’ so refrain from using skin bleaching, lightening or whitening
products, particularly cosmetics that have not gone through formal notification
or registration with the FDA and not guaranteed safe from mercury, hydroquinone
and other harmful substances,” the EcoWaste Coalition said.
The group also advised consumers to insist on their right
to product information, including chemical ingredients comprising a product,
and to reject products with zero or incomplete label or with non-English
labeling information unless English translation is provided.
Reference:
https://ww2.fda.gov.ph/attachments/article/38963/Advisories_cosmetic_FDA%20Advisory%20No%202011-012.pdf
https://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/mercury_flyer.pdf?ua=1
https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/updateNov14_mercury-women-exec-summary-v1_7.pdf
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