Quezon City, Philippines Mercury in cosmetics remains a serious threat to human health and the environment 14 years after the ASEAN regional bloc decided to ban it in cosmetic product formulations.
The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition made this observation after analyzing 15 imported skin lightening products that are sold in the country without authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Customs authorities cautioned from burning confiscated cosmetics containing mercury
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Quezon City, Philippines Non-government organizations have cautioned the customs authorities from burning confiscated skin whitening products tainted with mercury to reduce the harm of mercury pollution to human health and the environment.
Last week, the Bureau of Customs NAIA sent to a pyrolysis disposal facility in Trece Martires City some 1.5 tons of seized imported goods, including 400 kilos of unregistered Goree skin lightening cosmetics that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned in 2017 due to their mercury content.
In celebration of the International Women’s Day (March 8), an environmental group warned the public anew on the health hazards posed by mercury-laced skin whitening cosmetics used mostly by women.
Groups Challenge Governments to Consign Mercury-Contaminated Skin Lightening Creams to History
Quezon City: Skin whitening products laced with mercury, a highly poisonous substance, remain a serious threat to public health, especially to women.
The EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental health organization, pointed to the uninterrupted marketing of imported skin lightening creams laden with mercury despite regulatory efforts to get these dangerous products out of commerce.
