MANILA, Philippines — Some Filipinos are unaware that the cosmetic products they buy are tainted with toxic materials that can lead to certain types of cancers, cardiovascular and other neurological diseases.
Thus, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said, it is imperative that Congress conducts an inquiry into the perceived need to introduce and implement toxic reduction strategies in cosmetics and other consumer products to protect the Filipino consumer.
Santiago has filed Senate resolution No. 749 directing the Senate Committee on health and demography to initiate the inquiry in the upper chamber. “It was alleged that major chemicals used in cosmetics – for example, heavy metals such as lead in lipstick, mercury and hydroquinone in skin whiteners, coal tar derivatives in dark hair dyes, hormone disruptors in fragranced products, and formaldehyde and paraben preservatives in numerous personal care items – could cause various diseases, including cancer.” Though cosmetic consumers consists largely of women, Santiago said “men are also exposed to the harmful effects of these chemicals due to their environmental exposure to such (items), particularly those chemicals applied daily to the body.”
Citing a report made by a Dr. Ann Blake of the Green Ribbon Science Panel of California’s Environmental Protection Agency who has at least 18 years experience studying toxic ingredients in cosmetics, Santiago echoes Blake’s call for a “stringent regulation” of ingredients known or suspected of causing cancer and other serius harm to human health. “Blake, in forum sponsored by EcoWaste Coalition and the country's Food and Drug Authority (FDA), reported that the FDA of the United States reported last December the presence of lead in 400 types of lipstick, while the local FDA banned last August 50 brands of skin whitening creams that contained "dangerous amounts of mercury," including products tested by the EcoWaste Coalition using X-ray Fluorescence spectrometer.” The senator added: “Environmental exposure to chemicals in consumer products are linked to major public health issues such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune and neurological diseases, obesity and type II diabetes, pediatric asthma, reproductive and developmental disorders.”
And given the dangers of everyday exposure to toxic chemicals found in beauty products, Santiago said the government should ban outright the use of cosmetics and other consumer products found to be toxic.
“It is the obligation of the State to regulate products being sold in the market; it is also the State's duty to promote greater consumer awareness, with customers buying the products not because of the attractive packaging, but because they have studied the ingredients and educated themselves on their health effects,” Santiago said.
source: mb.com.ph
