We express our serious concern over the continued unlawful dumping of mercury-laden cosmetics into the domestic market, despite sustained efforts by the government, health sector, civil society and media to expose and put a stop to this wrongdoing.
We are particularly disturbed by the proliferation of imported skin-whitening products with mercury content above the allowable limit (one part per million) set under the Asean Cosmetics Directive. Some have extremely high mercury concentrations way above the 1 ug/m3 “acceptable level” for residential setting and also exceeding the 10 ug/m3 level, at which the action recommended by the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry is “isolation of contamination from residents or evacuation of residents.”
Despite the health and environmental hazards these skin-whitening products pose, none listed mercury as an active ingredient. None provided any health warning that mercury can enter the body through skin absorption, ingestion or inhalation of the vapors, and that young children and pregnant women are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury. None warned that mercury exposure can damage the kidneys, the brain and the central nervous system and cause fetal abnormalities if used in pregnancy, and that the skin itself can suffer from uneven pigmentation, rashes and scarring. None cautioned that children can ingest the mercury by coming into contact with the skin, clothes and household items contaminated with mercury.
In line with the objective of the Minamata Convention on Mercury “to protect the human health and the environment from anthropogenic releases of mercury and mercury compounds,” we call upon all stakeholders to support intensified regulatory action by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) against skin whitening cosmetics with no market authorization. We urge the FDA to prosecute violators to the full extent of the law.
We further urge all law enforcement agencies, particularly the Bureau of Customs, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police, as well as local government units, to rally behind the FDA and carry out effective and supportive measures to combat the illegal trade of mercury-laden cosmetics. Specifically, we ask the Customs authorities to search and destroy these illegal cosmetics at the ports of entry and duly charge the offenders; and to identify the suppliers of these products in the country of origin and work cooperatively with authorities in those countries to restrict production and prevent cross-border trade.
We urge our consumers to be on the alert against contraband cosmetics with hidden mercury content that can be detrimental to the health of users and non-users, noting that the adverse effects of mercury exposure are subtle and increase over time.
Finally, we implore all Filipinos to be wary of the dark side of whitening one’s skin with mercury-laden cosmetics, and to be happy and proud of our beautiful natural brown skin complexion.
—SONIA MENDOZA, president, EcoWaste Coalition, and Dr. Daisy K. Ismael, president, Philippine Dermatological Society