Skin Lighteners Still Online Despite Mercury Findings March 2022

Skin Lighteners Still Online Despite Mercury Findings March 2022 19 October 2023 Online Marketing of Toxic Skin Lighteners: Mercury cosmetics marketed as ‘solution’ to dark skin Webinar: The Dark World of Toxic Skin Lightening Products Michael Bender Executive Director of the Mercury Policy Project International Coordinator of the Zero Mercury Working Group Zero Mercury Working Group Who we are An. [...] Aim: Reduce/eliminate mercury supply, use, emissions, exposure, implementing the Minamata Convention 2005 > 55 > 110 ZMWG creation Countries Member organisations Widespread Use of Skin Lightening Products (SLP) • Mercury is a bleaching agent inhibiting the formation of melanin, produces whitening, anti-freckles effect. [...] • Contaminate homes, exposes residents • World Health Organization warns of the health risks of mercury SLPs—and recommends phase out • Minamata Convention bans manufacture, trade of cosmetics w/over 1 ppm mercury • Once sold primarily in local markets and beauty stores, the availability of SLPs has exploded online Dermatologist Round Table and Surveys in Bangladesh and Pakistan Pakistan, SDPI, Se. [...] TOTAL SLPS PURCHASED ON E- COMMERCE # of samples purchased # of samples tested with mercury levels above 1 ppm 30 27 2625 25 22 20 1717 15 1212 1312 1010 11119 9 9 10 7 7 7 7 7 4 4 4 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 3 2 3 3 4 4 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 0 The African Region’s amendment @ Minamata COP 5 ✓Ensure a zero tolerance: all “mercury-added” cosmetics to be prohibited ✓Curtailing the (on-line) sales, advertising, marketin. [...] My aim is to raise awareness about the toxicity and the harm associated with these products and I recommend that the government should ban such whitening creams” Conclusions and Recommendations ➢ Mercury SLPs are a global crisis warranting concerted international action ➢ Enforcement is key to stopping manufacturing ➢ All mercury compounds determined for potential use in SLPs should be banned ➢ On.