EcoWaste warns public of mercury-laced cosmetics banned in US but sold in

PH

Eleven skin lightening which were banned in the United States for containing mercury are being sold to
Filipino consumers, the environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition has warned the public.
 
The group said the products pose a serious health risk to their mostly female users as well as other
household members, particularly children.
In a statement issued on Sunday, March 19, the group said that it purchased 11 skin lightening products
made in China, Pakistan, and Thailand that were found to contain mercury by health officials in
California, Minnesota, and New York.
“We obtained the items from cosmetic stores and from online sellers during our market monitoring. 
Based on the chemical screening we conducted, the items are contaminated with high levels of mercury
ranging from 2,230 to 58,400 parts per million (ppm), way above the global limit of one ppm,” EcoWaste
Coalition coordinator Aileen Lucero disclosed.

She said  10 of the said products were produced in 2021 or 2022 or after the global phase-out in 2020 of
mercury-added cosmetics such as skin lightening products, saying such is “in clear defiance of the
requirements of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, as well as the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive
(ACD).”

According to EcoWaste, the ACD includes mercury and its compounds among the “substances which
must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products,” a decision adopted by the ASEAN Cosmetic
Committee in 2007, while the Minamata Convention sets 2020 as the “date after which the manufacture,
import or export of the product shall not be allowed.”

“Six of these products are already covered by separate health advisories issued by the Philippine FDA
warning consumers against buying and using them,” she added.

“Among these 11 mercury-laced products are five Pakistan-made cosmetics, namely, Chandni Whitening
Cream, Faiza Beauty Cream, Golden Pearl Beauty Cream, Goree Beauty Cream, and Sandal Beauty
Cream, which were identified by the New York City Health Department (NYCHD) as containing
mercury.”

The environmental watchdog said the NYCHD published health warnings that read: “Do not use.  These
beauty creams were found to contain mercury.  Mercury is a poison and can harm your health.  See your
doctor if you use these products.”

“Also sold locally are four Thailand-made mercury-added products such as 88 Total White Underarm
Cream, Meyyong Seaweed Super Whitening, Polla Gold Super White, and Snow White Armpit
Whitening Underarm Cream, which were among those found to contain mercury by the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH),” the group stated.

The EcoWaste also stated that they purchased two China-made Jiaoli Miraculous Cream and Jiaoli 7-Day
Specific Eliminating Freckle AB Set, both of which were tested and found to contain mercury by the
California Department of Health (CDH).

The group urged consumers to stop using skin lightening products that contain mercury and other
hazardous substances, visit a doctor for a medical evaluation, and dispose of such products properly in
order to prevent mercury exposure. Instead, they should embrace their natural skin color and avoid
chemical whiteners.
Caritas PH expresses solidarity with oil spill affected resident

The Church’s humanitarian and advocacy arm expressed its solidarity with the people who have
been affected by the recent oil spill incident in Oriental Mindoro.

Citing reports, the Caritas Philippines said that the oil spill incident has affected 143,713 people
and “severely disrupted the livelihood of over 13,000 fishers.” It also added that 169 individuals
“were reported to have been injured or fallen ill due to the oil spill.”

"Our hearts go out to the people of Mindoro and neighboring areas who are bearing the brunt of
this environmental disaster,” said Caritas Philippines President Bishop Colin Bagaforo in a
statement.

“We stand with them in their time of need and urge all concerned parties to come together in a
spirit of solidarity and cooperation," he added.

Bagaforo also urged the government and stakeholders to prioritize the needs of affected
residents.

"We call on all stakeholders to put the needs of those affected first and work towards a
comprehensive response that promotes the common good and upholds the dignity of every
human being,” he said.

“It is crucial that the government and other concerned parties implement the national oil spill
contingency plan to contain the spread of the oil spill and prevent further damage to the
environment and the livelihoods of the affected communities," he added.

The prelate also assured the public that Caritas Philippines will continue to provide assistance to
affected residents. He also called on the citizens to “support efforts in whatever way they can.”

"Let us stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Mindoro and neighboring areas, and
work together to promote the common good and to care for our common home, in line with the
teachings of Laudato Si'," said Bagaforo.

To recall,  the oil tanker MT Princess Empress, which was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial
oil, sank off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro last Feb. 28.
Hirit ng teacher’s group: Kakulangan sa silid-aralan, tugunan

Nanawagan kahapon ang isang grupo ng mga guro sa pamahalaan na tugunan ang kakulangan ng mga
silid-aralan sa bansa.

Ayon kay Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Chairperson Vladimer Quetua, dapat na paglaanan ng
pamahalaan ng mas malaking pondo ang sektor ng edukasyon.

Binigyang-diin ni Quetua na malaki naman ang pondo para sa ‘Build Better More infrastructure program’
na aabot sa P1.2 trilyon kada taon habang ang pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan ay mangangailangan
lamang ng pondong P15.6 bilyon.

Sinabi ni Quetua na sa halip na magtayo ng mas maraming tulay, paliparan at mga daungan, dapat na
magpokus ang pamahalaan sa pagpapatayo ng may 165,000 silid-aralan, na kailangang-kailangan ng mga
mag-aaral.

Nagbigay rin naman siya ng reaksiyon sa pahayag ng Department of Education na naghahanap ito ng
foreign at private funding upang resolbahin ang isyu, at sinabing ang pondo ay dapat na magmula sa
buwis ng mga mamamayan, na pangunahing inilalaan para sa mga ganitong serbisyo.
69% ng 9.5 milyong ‘di bakunadong Pinoy, ayaw nang magpa-COVID-19 shot -SWS

May 69 percent ng kabuuang 9.5 milyong adult Pinoy na hindi nagpabakuna ang patuloy na ayaw magpaturok
kontra COVID-19.

Sa isinagawang survey ng Social weather Stations (SWS) noong December 2022, 12 percent ng unvaccinated adults
ang gusto nang paturok habang 57% ng matatanda o nasa 41.14 milyon ay fully vaccinated at 6% o 4.4 milyon ang
nakapagpaturok lamang ng unang dose.

Sa naturang bilang, 44 percent ang nagsabing ayaw magpa-booster habang 32% ang payag magpa-booster.

Ayon sa SWS, may 12.4 milyong adults ang tumanggap ng third shot o first booster, habang 4.3M ang nakakuha ng
fourth dose o ikalawang booster.

Sa mga tumanggap ng kanilang unang booster, 55% ang nagsabing gusto pa nilang makakuha ng sunod na booster
at 32% dito ay ayaw.

Ang survey ay ginawa sa pamamagitan ng face-to-face interviews sa may 1,200 Pinoy na edad 18-anyos pataas.