For information about these programs, contact your local officials to find out when and where a collection will be held in your area. Products may contain mercury, even if it is not listed as an ingredient on the label. mercury-containing gas pressure regulators, mercury-containing boiler heating systems/Honeywell heat generators, and. "When we started looking at these products online, there was such widespread use," said Michael Bender, Executive Director of the Mercury Policy Project and a coordinator for ZMWG. Latin America ", On instruction from her dermatologist Promee stopped using the products immediately, but her rashes became worse before they got better. Of these, 129 products in 16 countries were found to have high levels of mercury and were being sold on more than 30 different sites. Bender acknowledges that Amazon appear to have cracked down on sales of these products in the US, adding that this is probably. Source: The agency has investigated skin lightening creams and also created an import alert for skin whitening creams containing mercury, which allows FDA agents to detain certain products at the border. The cosmetics section of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act has not been updated since 1938. Mercury is used in LCD screens and monitors. When disposing of larger appliances, either contact your state or local household hazardous waste collection center for advice on recycling or disposal, or contact a local appliance recycler. In 2019, a California woman who used mercury contaminated skin lightening products slipped into a coma. Global Industry Analysts, Inc., estimates the global market for skin lightening creams is $8.8 billion in 2022 and projected to grow to $11.8 billion by 2026. Bender called it a victory that marked a shift in case law away from shielding e-commerce sites from liability, but he noted the ruling affects only products sold in California when national and global strategies are needed. The Minamata Convention on Mercury established a limit of 1 mg/kg (1 ppm) for cosmetics, including skin whitening products. An investigation into skin-lightening products sold online found mercury in nearly half of products tested. . This story is part of 'White lies', a series by CNN's As Equals investigating skin whitening practices worldwide to expose the underlying drivers of colorism, the industry that profits from it and the cost to individuals and communities. "Even now, I cannot use any cream -- and I have red spots all over," she said. In 2018, the EWG joined 50 environmental and public health groups to urge, People shouldnt have to worry that theyre putting their health at risk by doing something as routine as applying skin cream or lotion, said, Outdated federal cosmetics policies must also be updated. In the absence of federal reform, states are passing bans on chemicals in personal care products like skin creams. In 2021, Marylandalso banned mercury from cosmetics. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider EWG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, EIN 52-2148600. Automotive relays are products or devices that open or close electrical contacts to control the operation of other devices in the same or another electrical circuit. World Health Organization. In some cases, the products are simply made in someones home, she added, so its difficult for authorities to find the operation and shut it down. Amazon removed listings for the two products purchased by ZMWG when CNN informed them of the mercury levels they contained. The science shows that exposure to mercury is linked to a multitude of serious health problems, said Tasha Stoiber, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group. "We will continue to do so and take required action should there be sellers and products that don't meet our safety standards and our code of compliance," they told CNN. is strictly prohibited.". Once landfilled, mercury from the products may end up in groundwater, and potentially in sources of drinking water. Frontiers in Public Health, Africa Source: A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Its really concerning that these online manufacturers continue to sell and flaunt and profit from illegal products that are doing significant damage to consumers, said Michael Bender, international coordinator with the Mercury Policy Project. Skin care products that contain mercury remain on the market, readily accessible to many consumers. Although the treaty came into full force in 2021, ZMWG's latest investigation revealed that nearly half of the skin-lightening products tested were in violation of the 1 ppm limit. The most recent analysis builds on three previous rounds of testing by ZMWG. That question is playing out in court in California, where a suit against Amazon alleged the company violated the Toxic Enforcement Act, or Proposition 65, because it sold skin lightening creams contaminated with mercury. McGill Office for Science and Society. Old thermostats should be taken to a state or local household hazardous waste collection center for recycling. Mercury is used in cosmetics as a skin lightening agent and preservative.
NOW WATCH: Testing cult favorite Paula's Choice 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. Those that do are generally imported from outside the U.S. and are sold as skin lightening or freckle creams. Check packaging materials and any instructions or ingredient lists carefully. The FDA banned the use of mercury in most cosmetics at levels higher than 1 ppm in 1973. If you do not have a doctor, call 311. eBay told CNN it employs "a combination of digital and manual surveillance tools to remove products that do not comply with applicable health and safety regulations including skin lightening products containing banned ingredients hydroquinone and mercury." Know your environment. The over-the-counter sale of potent corticosteroids is banned in many countries and territories worldwide, including the US, the UK, India and Hong Kong. First there was a baby formula shortage, bare shelves where there should have been rows of packages. People shouldnt have to worry that theyre putting their health at risk by doing something as routine as applying skin cream or lotion, said Melanie Benesh, EWG legislative attorney. More than 40 retailers including Amazon and eBay sold products containing widely illegal levels of mercury online at the time of the investigation. If you discover a product containing mercury, thoroughly wash any skin that's been exposed and make sure to dispose of the product in a leak-proof bag or container. Mercury is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, so know about applicable shipping laws before you ship. If possible, replace mercury-containing components. Call 311 to report a store selling products found to contain mercury. For prescription medications, follow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guidance on disposal of unused medicines. With the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, in September 2020,California was the first state to, Most of DOD sites with forever chemicals contamination exceed EPA health levels, Keep your kids safer in the sun this Fourth of July, Tampon shortage: Beware forever chemicals in backup options. StrategyR. Picnics, barbecues and time at the pool are all great excuses to get little ones outside to play and exercise. The Zero Mercury Working Group tested 271 products purchased from more than 40 online retailers. Some antiques such as barometers, clock pendulums, mirrors, vases and organs contain mercury. is strictly prohibited. Amazon also has categories of products that require its approval before being sold. Mercury contamination is widespread among skin lightening and anti-ageing creams sold on online platforms like eBay, Alibaba and Amazon, a new analysis of hundreds of products has found. The practice of blanqueamiento, or whitening, for a better standing in society is deeply rooted across Latin America. The sale of illegal, unsafe, or other restricted products listed on these pages . By simply enforcing these policies, both companies could help protect the public from a significant health risk. Products Made in European Economic Community. India Mercury is found in both inorganic and organic forms in cosmetics. The ZMWG, an international coalition of more than 110 public interest, environmental and health NGOs from over 55 countries, is calling for online e-commerce sites to be made liable for products sold on their platforms and asking that they fully comply with the health and safety laws of countries they are selling in. Encyclopedia Britannica. The cosmetics section of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, In the absence of federal reform, states are passing bans on chemicals in personal care products like skin creams. Businesses and industries that qualify as universal waste handlers must follow specific requirements for storing, transporting and disposing of these wastes. The US FDA recognizes that hydroquinone may be a carcinogen. But seven months later, the side effects began. Amazons policy states that Products offered for sale on Amazon must comply with all laws and regulations and with Amazons policies. Some of the products tested contain as much as 65,000ppm of mercury, which is well above any historical limit on the heavy metal. These include: antibiotics; blood pressure cuffs; contact lens solution; dental amalgam; diuretics; ear and eye drops; eye ointment; hemorrhoid relief ointment; Mercurochrome; nasal spray; and thermometers. Some of the samples tested by the Zero Mercury Working Group contained as much as 65,000 ppm of mercury an astounding 65,000 times the legal limit of 1 ppm set by the Food and Drug Administration. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Switches are products or devices that open or close an electrical circuit, or a liquid or gas valve. Mercury poisoning can cause significant injury, including rashes, kidney disease and nervous system damage. Source: Televisions manufactured before 1991 may also contain mercury switches. Note that some states and local jurisdictions have elected to pass regulations that are more stringent than the federal hazardous waste regulations. Most of the contaminated products were not made by large American or European brands, but were found in Pakistani, Mexican, Chinese and Thai brands that are sometimes popular in those regions. It may also result in harmful changes in the placenta, subsequently causing damage to the fetus during pregnancy, and it can pass to children through skin-to-skin contact," explained Lymberidi-Settimo. Retailers need to actually enforce these policies.. As with eBay, Amazon told CNN in a statement that it monitors its store and has "proactive measures in place to prevent prohibited products from being listed." Source:
CNN did not independently test the products named in the report. "Soon, my eyes started watering all the time and I went to a doctor who told me that what's happening to me is a side-effect of the creams I am using. The FDA has limited resources and authority to regulate cosmetic imports, even illegal ones like mercury-containing skin creams. There is a risk of the mercury spilling if the unit is broken or handled improperly. According to the report, a greater number of the skin whitening products tested by ZMWG and found to contain high levels of mercury were available on eBay, Ubuy, Shopee (owned by Sea Limited) and Flipkart. Once incinerated, mercury may end up in the air. Older models may have pilot light sensors containing mercury. Have you heard about the male frog that ended up with female anatomy? The EU, meanwhile, doesnt allow any mercury in cosmetics. Consult your local or state collection program. The heavy metal has been used as an ingredient in lightening creams marketed towards Black and brown people, as well as treatments meant to remove age spots, freckles, blemishes, and wrinkles. Products tested in a variety of countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America have contained up to 40,000 parts per million (ppm) of mercury. Promee Tasneem, 28, is a schoolteacher in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Researchers found that out of 271 whiteners, brighteners, and fading creams sold online across 17 countries, 129 of them contained more than the legal limit of mercury . It may also damage the skin, cause rashes and blotchy spots, and give skin a grayish color. Several states and municipalities do not recognize the exemption for households; others regulate all fluorescent bulbs as hazardous, regardless of their mercury content. Skin-lightening creams containing mercury are still sold online despite a multinational agreement to stop making them, according to a new report from the Zero Mercury Working Group. The sale of illegal, unsafe, or other restricted products listed on these pages . Mercury salts block the production of melanin, leading to a lighter skin tone. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. For example, digital non-mercury thermometers are a safer alternative to mercury thermometers. Creams dominate the market and are estimated to reach $6.6 billion by 2027. It is also used in laptop screen shutoffs. Products were tested by an accredited laboratory in the European Union, after being screened using X-ray fluorescence analyzers. These products need to be properly disposed at household hazardous waste collection centers. If the glass breaks, the mercury can spill. EPA encourages consumers to consider alternatives to products that contain mercury. After publication, a legal representative for Ubuy responded to CNN, stating that the company was not aware of these products being sold on its sites and that UBuy addresses the sale of violative products and goods through its websites using algorithms to block them from appearing on a country's website or in search results. Hydroquinone is used to treat pigment disorders by reducing levels of melanin in the skin. Its not the setup for a joke. Study estimates for the percentage of women that bleach their skin in four countries in Africa, Source: All but La Tia Mana had been identified in previous ZMWG reports but continue to contain high levels of mercury and be available online, according to the latest report. Bender and Lymberidi-Settimo explained that while platforms often take products down when informed of their sale, they often appear again later. Mercury can damage the brain, nervous system and kidneys. "Mercury is easily absorbed through the skin and can cause rashes, allergic reactions, and even kidney damage and nervous system disorders. These switches and relays need to be properly removed by dismantlers. In a statement to the Guardian, Amazon said it removed the products in question, and it has put proactive measures in place to prevent suspicious or non-compliant products from being listed. Today, Teflon-like compounds called PFAS are found in the blood of almost all Americans. "Temporary beauty is not worth lifelong troubles. Mercury is used -- usually in very small amounts as a preservative or antibacterial agent -- in a number of over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceutical products. Source: The company claimed the products tested by ZMWG were these discontinued products, adding that their own product is homemade using ingredients bought in the US. International Journal of Women's Dermatology ", International Journal of Women's Dermatology, American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Amazon and eBay did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Not all batteries contain mercury and need to be recycled. For more information about mercury and health, call the Poison Control Center at 212-POISONS (212-764-7667). "If need be, I use aloe vera to moisturize my skin.". Cosmetics with mercury are often marketed as skin lightening creams and anti-aging treatments that remove age spots, freckles, blemishes and wrinkles. Most of these can be put in the regular trash and require no special handling. When tested, her blood had 500 times the acceptable amount of mercury.. Mercury is a common ingredient found in skin whitening creams and soaps worldwide due to its bleaching effect. Gas-fired appliances, including ovens, water heaters, furnaces, poll heaters, and appliances in some recreational vehicles, may contain mercury. Shopee, Flipkart, Daraz and Aliexpress gave similar responses to those from Amazon and eBay. The company said it has blocked over 10,000 listing attempts for prohibited skin lightening products, but when asked why these measures are not working, given that products continue to be available on its platform, eBay did not respond. Women account for almost 80% of sales worldwide. The Product Stewardship Institute's best practices guide. Research and Markets. Visit EWG's 501(c)(4) organization, EWG Action Fund. Do not use of skin cream that contains mercury as this can lead to skin rashes or poisoning because mercury can be absorbed through the skin. DuPonts Teflon changed our lives, but also polluted our bodies. If you use non-prescription products to lighten your skin or for skin disorders, talk to your doctor. Some counties and cities also have household hazardous waste collection programs. Mercury is used in cosmetics as a skin lightening agent and preservative. Most skin creams do not contain mercury compounds. They are used in trunks and hoods, heated car rear windows, acceleration sensors for air bags and seatbelts and anti-lock braking systems. All rights reserved. These levels are astronomical.. Zero Mercury Working Group tested 271 products from 15 countries and found nearly half to be contaminated at levels above 1ppm.