[Press Release] EcoWaste Coalition: Online Trade of Cosmetics with Mercury Endangers Health and the Environment
Press Release
EcoWaste Coalition: Online Trade of Cosmetics with Mercury Endangers Health and the Environment

In time for the World Environment Day on June 5 and the mid-year online sales on June 6, the toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition urged online shopping leaders and dealers to protect human health and the ecosystems from mercury contamination.
The group specifically called for concrete measures to stop the use of e-commerce as a vehicle to flout the global ban on the manufacture, import or export of cosmetics such as skin lightening products with mercury content above one part million (ppm) as per the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
“As we urge our fellow Filipinos to say no to chemical whiteners and embrace our natural skin tone, we call on Lazada and Shopee to take effective actions to discontinue the use of their platforms by third-party sellers to promote and sell skin lightening products containing mercury, which can endanger the health of users and other household members, as well as contaminate the ecosystems as mercury from these products is discharged into waste water,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
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