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MANILA, Philippines – Toxics watchdog Ecowaste Coalition on Wednesday alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on skin whitening products containing mercury that are being sold illegally in Manila and Makati.
Thirteen tested cosmetic products were found to contain excessive amounts of mercury. The products contained 550 parts per million (ppm) to 60,800 ppm of mercury. The ASEAN Cosmetics Directive's allowable limit is only up to 1 ppm.
Samples were purchased by Ecowaste from cosmetic stalls and Chinese drugstores around Binondo, Divisoria, Quiapo, and Sta. Cruz in Manila and Guadalupe in Makati. The products cost between P60 to P180. Ecowaste used an X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer to measure the mercury content of the samples.
Mercury was not listed as an ingredient in all the samples and none of the skin whitening products had been previously listed in the 2010-2011 FDA list of 50 banned skinned whitening products containing excessive amounts of mercury.
Mercury is dangerous to humans in excessive amounts as this causes poisoning, mutations, and other health problems. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, memory problems, depression, and numbness and tingling in hands, feet or around mouth. Mercury also damages the kidneys and the nervous system and interferes with the brain development of unborn and young children.
The group is urging cosmetic consumers to be wary of product labels and ingredients and not patronize those that do not give adequate and understandable information. It said products with mercury should not be thrown with ordinary trash.
Ecowaste sent a letter to FDA Officer-in-Charge Atty. Nicolas B. Lutero III proposing the following steps to address the issue:
a. Issue a new advisory banning skin whitening products for containing mercury above the allowable limit of 1 ppm.
b. Conduct a series of law enforcement activities to rid the market of skin lightening cosmetics containing dangerous levels of mercury and without the benefit of notification with the FDA.
c. Publish a consumer education material that will inform users about the health hazards posed by mercury-containing cosmetics.
d. Encourage victims of mercury exposure from skin whitening products to come forward and tell their stories.
Below are the results of the test conducted by Ecowaste on the 14 products:
1. AILKE Perfection Salvation Rosy Whitening and Peeling Cream manufactured/distributed by (not indicated on the label)(purchased for P120 from Central Chinese Drug Store, 1057 Ongpin St., Binondo, Manila), mercury NOT detected.
2. Feique Whitening Anti-Freckle Cream manufactured/distributed by GLDJB (Harbin) Cosmetics Ltd.,China (purchased for P60 from stall IA 43-45, 168 Mall, Divisoria, Manila), 16,000 ppm of mercury
3. Feique Golden Aloe Whitening Anti-Scar, Anti Freckle Set manufactured/distributed by GLDJB (Harbin)Cosmetics Ltd., China (purchased for P60 from stall IA 43-45, 168 Mall, Divisoria, Manila), 25,000 ppm of mercury
4. Feique Green Tea Vital Whitening Freckle-Removing Cream manufactured/distributed by GLDJB (Harbin) Cosmetics Ltd., China (purchased for P150 from stall IA 43-45, 168 Mall, Divisoria, Manila), 15,800 ppm of mercury
5. Bai Li Tou Hong manufactured/distributed by (not indicated in English) (purchased for P150 from stall IA 43-45, 168 Mall,Divisoria, Manila), 46,700 ppm of mercury
6. Maidaifu Herbal Moisturizing and Whitening Cream manufactured/distributed by (not indicated in English) (purchased forP180 from Stall IA-45, 168 Mall, Divisoria, Manila), 60,800 ppm of mercury
7. Green Cucumber and Ginseng 6 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle Whitening Set manufactured/distributed by Yudantang International, Taiwan (purchased for P120 from stall IR-24, 168Mall, Divisoria), 9,414 ppm of mercury
8. Loreial Paris Anti-Freckle Cream Suit manufactured/distributed by (not indicated on the label) (purchased for P120 from stall IB 2-4 999 Shopping Mall,Divisoria, Manila), 1,371 ppm of mercury
9. Aichun Beauty Strongly WhiteningFreckle Series (3 in one) manufactured/distributed by France Sasa (HK) International Group Ltd. / Livepro Beauty Cosmetics Co. Ltd., China (purchased for P98 from G2 Beauty Products, Villalobos St., Quiapo, Manila), 550 ppm of mercury
10. “Special Cream” (double, label in Chinese) manufactured/distributed by (not indicated in English) (purchased for P80 from stall G-162 Good Earth Mall, Bustos St., Sta. Cruz, Manila), 1,565 ppm of mercury
11. “Special Cream” (single, label in Chinese)manufactured/distributed by (not indicated in English) (purchased for P80 from Famous Chinese Drug Store, Recto Ave. near Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila), 1,378 ppm of mercury
12. Yudantang Ginseng and Ganoderma Lucidum 6 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle Whitening Sun Block Cream manufactured/distributed by Yudantang International, Taiwan (purchased for P140 from Rose and Fujikura General Merchandise, Uni-Mec Supermarket, Guadalupe, Makati City), 31,300 ppm of mercury
13. Aichun Beauty Green Tea Whitening Speckle Removing Series (3 in one) manufactured/distributed by France Sasa (HK) International Group Ltd./Livepro Beauty Cosmetic Co. Ltd., China (purchased for P90 from G2 Beauty Products, Carriedo St., Quiapo, Manila), 1,250 ppm of mercury
14. Aichun Beauty Pawpaw Whitening and Freckle Remover Series (3 in one) manufactured/distributed by France Sasa (HK) International Group Ltd./Livepro Beauty Cosmetic Co. Ltd., China (purchased for P90 from G2 Beauty Products, Carriedo St., Quiapo, Manila), 867 ppm of mercury
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