CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu-based Philippine Earth Justice Center and the Quezon City-based EcoWaste Coalition revealed that imported skin whitening products banned by the National Government for containing mercury are being sold in broad daylight in Cebu City.
This “toxic truth†was known after obtaining five forbidden cosmetics in test buys conducted on July 22 at shops located in Pres. Osmeña Blvd. and Sanciangko Streets.
“We deplore the illegal sale of these mercury-added cosmetics by vendors who bag profits at the expense of their customers' health,†said PEJC coordinator Atty. Gloria Estenzo-Ramos.
In a statement sent to The Freeeman, Ramos said that the local government and police officials should take firm action to put a stop to the unlawful trade and make law breakers accountable.
The Food and Drugs Administration has so far recalled 93 skin whitening cosmetics for containing excessive levels of mercury and for having no market authorization from the agency.
Thony Dizon, project protect coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, cautioned consumers against patronizing unauthorized cosmetics that are supposed to result in fairer skin complexion.
Dizon urged the public not to buy cosmetics that are not duly authorized by the FDA and often with labels that are not understandable as this may spell trouble on the part of the consumers.
He warned that repeated applications of mercury-laden cosmetics onto the skin can actually harm the skin, brain and kidneys due to direct and extended exposure.
Chemical analysis through a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer showed high concentrations of mercury, a potent neurotoxin, in all the five products in violation of the regulatory limit of one part per million (ppm) under the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive.
The five banned cosmetics that are sold in Cebu markets are Jiaoli 7-Day Specific Eliminating Freckle AB Set (with10,700 ppm of mercury); Sara Glutathione Sheep Placenta Whitening & Anti-Aging Cream (with 5,176 ppm of mercury); Huayuenong 12-Day Whitening & Speckle Removing Wrecking Set (with 4,371 ppm of mercury); Miss Beauty Magic Cream (with 3,847 ppm of mercury) and Flower Woman 7-Day Whitening & Spot Day & Night Cream (with 3,766 ppm of mercury).
The environmental groups added that Huayuenong was among the 16 skin whitening products banned by the FDA last week, while the Flower Woman, Sara and Miss Beauty were banned in 2011, and Jiaoli in 2010.
The group added that based on the fact sheet prepared by the World Health Organization, “the main adverse effect of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening soaps and creams is kidney damage.†— (FREEMAN)