Dr. Linroy Christian, the Director of Analytical Services, said his department wanted to restrict the importation of skin lightening products with high mercury content.
“Bleaching creams, I know if we try to stop that there will probably be a riot somewhere but we intend to ban it, to be honest,” Dr. Christian said, insisting that the products were hazardous to human health.
“There’s no other way than to remove the majority of bleaching creams from the market”, he added.
The department reportedly collected more than 135 cosmetic products such as bleaching creams, lotions and eye serums for testing.
“We have screened one and it came up with 37,000 parts per million. If I put that in perspective, if it is over one part per million, you shouldn’t use it,” he explained.
The department was said to be formulating the restrictions through regulations under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act in accordance with the Minamata Convention on