PRESS RELEASE
March 15, 2021

 

BAN Toxics calls for stricter measures against sale of mercury-added products  

Today is World Consumer Rights Day. BAN Toxics calls for the stricter implementation of guidelines to prevent sale of mercury-added products, especially skin lightening creams.

In 2019, Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG), an international coalition of public interest environmental and health non-governmental organizations, of which BAN Toxics is a part of, tested 158 skin lightening creams from 12 sampling countries. Ninety-five of which exceeded the allowable limit of 1 ppm (part per million), with mercury levels ranging from 40 ppm to over 130,000. ZMWG released the Dirty Eighty list to warn consumers about the product brands.[1] Research in February 2021 showed that mercury-laden skin creams are still widely available for purchase in Lazada and Shopee.[2]

BAN Toxics has continuously campaigned for the Philippine government to take actions to protect people and the environment against the adverse effects of mercury and other toxic chemicals since 2007.

Mercury is a toxic chemical with negative effects on both human health and the environment and is listed by the World Health Organization as one of their top chemicals of major health concern. Exposure to mercury may cause harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems and may also be fatal.[3]  Primary sources of human exposure to mercury are from dental amalgams, mercury-laden hospital devices, and gold mining activities.

In July 8, 2020, the Philippine government ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury.[4] Sale of products with mercury content was made illegal and punishable by law according to the Chemical Control Order-DENR Administrative Order 2019-20 (CCO-DAO 2019-20). [5]

“The Philippine government and business entities should take a stronger stance against mercury to protect consumers. Removing mercury-added products from the shelves is not enough. The only way we can ensure the safety of the Filipinos and the environment against the adverse effects of mercury is to continue adapting the Minamata Convention into our local laws and its strict and consistent implementation,” says Reynaldo San Juan, executive director of BAN Toxics.


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Notes to the editor:
[1] ZMWG’s Dangerous, mercury-laden and often illegal skin-lightening products Readily available for (online) purchase
[2] BAN Toxics’ Report on Dirty Eighty Availability in the Philippines – February 2021
[3] Mercury and Health, World Health Organization (WHO)
[4] Philippines brings to 123 the number of parties to the Minamata Convention
[5] Chemical Control Order – DENR Administrative Order 2019-20 (CCO-DAO 2019-20) Revised Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Mercury and Mercury Compounds


For more information, please contact
Melendre Heidyl Dela Torre, Communications Officer, BAN Toxics
melendre@bantoxics.org | 09175142956