Manila downtown stores caught selling mercury-laden cosmetics

Some stores in Manila's downtown district were caught Monday selling cosmetics that could endanger human health because of their high mercury levels.

 

The Food and Drug Administration detected the high levels of mercury in nine out of 12 samples tested, according to ecological group EcoWaste Coalition.

 

"Nine of the 12 samples tested positive for mercury, including five items which were among the 50 brands already banned by the FDA in 2010-2011 for containing high levels of mercury that could pose imminent harm to the consuming public," the group said.

 

It said the 12 samples of skin lightening creams tested were mostly imported from China, Taiwan and Thailand, sold by Chinese drug stores along Bustos Street and nearby areas in Manila's Sta. Cruz district.

 

The samples were tested using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. 

 

EcoWaste said "Beauty Girl Natural Olive and Sheep Essence 10 Days Double Whitening Speckles Removed Essence" contained 31,400 parts per million (ppm), the highest mercury content among the products screened. This is way above the allowable limit of 1 ppm.

 

Monday's testing was a joint effort of the FDA, EcoWaste and Buklod Tao.

 

FDA director Suzette Lazo appealed to consumers to be "wary of contraband cosmetics that could contain mercury and other chemical or bacterial contaminants."

 

"Please take precaution as these products pose real risks to health and should neither be offered for sale nor patronized and consumed,” she added.

 

After testing the products, the FDA team proceeded to a Chinese drug store at Good Earth Plaza in Sta. Cruz, confiscated the mercury-tainted products and said charges will be filed against the store owner.  

 

Mercury's ill effects

 

EcoWaste safe cosmetics campaigner Aileen Lucero warned using mercury-laden cosmetics can cause problems such as discoloration, inflammation, itchiness and tiny bumps.

 

She added repeated use can eventually damage the brain and the kidneys.

 

The group added the US Environmental Protection Agency classified mercuric chloride, often used in skin bleaching products, as a “possible human carcinogen.”

 

“These poison products should be taken off the store shelves right away and discarded as hazardous waste requiring environmentally-sound handling, storage and disposal,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, Manila District II Councilor Numero Lim, who accompanied the inspection team, pushed for the approval of a draft ordinance to stop the illegal sale of injurious mercury-containing cosmetics and to impose harsh penalties on violators.

 

It aims to penalize individual violators with imprisonment from one to 10 years or a fine from P50,000 to P500,000, or both.

 

A jail term of five to 10 years and a fine of P500,000 to P5,000,000 are suggested to be imposed against manufacturers, importers or distributors found guilty of selling and producing harmful mercury-containing cosmetics.

 

The draft ordinance will also ban the open dumping, open burning and/or disposal of banned, recalled and/or confiscated mercury-containing cosmetics in regular municipal solid waste. –KG, GMA News