The EcoWaste Coalition is asking the Local Government Units in Mindanao cities to look into cosmetics allegedly containing traces of toxic mercury.
In its report, the poisonous chemical was found in skin whitening products sold in Cagayan de Oro, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Iligan, Dipolog, Pagadian, and Zamboanga.
In a statement EcoWaste said that out of 93 samples, 75 were found contaminated by mercury with one product exceeding the tolerable amount of the chemical.
The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) banned two beauty cream products in 2017.
The whitening products were smuggled from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan with prices ranging from Php25-Php350.
“Products with mercury can lead to discoloration, scarring, and a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections,” World Health Organization said.
