By Chito A. Chavez
A toxic chemical watch group asked concerned government agencies to enforce further stringent measures after discovering the illegal sale of mercury-tainted skin whitening products in stores selling beauty and herbal items in Cubao, Quezon City.
The EcoWaste Coalition made the revelation following its market investigation on May 1 to check if skin lightening cosmetics banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to their mercury content and lack of product notification are sold in QC.
Mercury in the range of 521 to 21,100 parts per million (ppm) was detected in the following products using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) chemical analyzer:
1. Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene with SPF 30 Avocado & Aloe Vera, 21,100 ppm
2. Goree Day & Night Whitening Cream Oil Free, 20,900 ppm
3. S’Zitang 10-Day Eliminating Freckle Day & Night Set, 2,258 ppm
4. Erna Whitening Cream, 816 ppm
5. JJJ Magic Spots Removing Cream, 521 ppm.
