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Mercury-based whitening creams flood markets


Published : 13 Sep 2019 09:15 PM | Updated : 02 Sep 2020 06:44 AM

Mercury containing skin-brightening creams of different companies have outmeasured Bangladeshi markets, posing a bizarre and risky chasm for health and environment, said experts. At a consultation workshop held on Thursday at National Press Club, the experts also opined that considering severe health threats, using of such mercury creams, its manufacturing and marketing should be prohibited immediately.

The consultation workshop entitled "Harmful Effects of Mercury Added Products on Health and Environment' was organised jointly by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Environmental and Social Development (ESDO). The experts made their opinions concerning the public health and environmental protection.

At the workshop, the speakers said that mercury containing various types of products are used in batteries, thermometers, barometers, electric switches and relays in equipment, CFL bulbs, dental amalgam (for dental filling) and even in cosmetics, jewelries and pharmaceuticals.

On the other hand, these inorganic mercury is also using in skin brightening products which are hazardous to human health. Several studies of the ESDO conducted in 2017 and 2018 found that, majority of the skin brightening creams available in Bangladeshi markets contain high quantity of mercury. As per the opinion of the specialists, presence of highly dangerous level of mercury in skin brightening creams may cause skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, a reduction in skin's resistance to bacterial or fungal infections and eventually result in skin cancer in the long run.

Once released into the environment, mercury can be transformed into toxic chemicals such as methyl mercury. These substances travel through food chain and eventually get bio-accumulated. Methyl mercury is a meurotoxicant: it can damage the developing brain as it crosses the placental and blood-brain barriers easily. The threat to the unborn caused by mercury is, therefore of particular concern. It can also trigger depression and suicidal tendencies, paralysis, and kidney failure.

Chaired by Dr Shahriar Hosain, Secretary General of the ESDO, the workshop was attended, among others, by Farida Yeasmin, General Secretary of the National Press Club, Dr. Masud Iqbal Mohammad Shamim, Director of DoE, Professor Abu Zafar Mahmud, Advisor and Head of ESDO Technical Committee, and Moklesur Rahman, former additional 1GP.