by Curlan Campbell
- Inorganic mercury most common type found in skin-lightening products
- 10 years since last research on assessing mercury levels in Grenada conducted by Dr Martin Forde
- Grenada has not signed to Minamata Convention on mercury
A list released by the Department of Analytical Services in Antigua and Barbuda and the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) as part of the Caribbean Region Mercury Monitoring Network (CRMMN) warns about dangerously high levels of mercury in skin-lightening products sold in the region.
The products on this list contain mercury levels that range from 1,246 parts per million (ppm) to as high as 5,899 ppm.
Dr Linroy Christian, Director of the Department of Analytical Services in Antigua and Barbuda, said the list was published after analysing over 200 skin-lightening products for mercury. “Of the over 200 samples screened, the provided list we find particularly troubling. In the absence of labelling requirements for these products, we consider that there is an unacceptable level of risk to human health based on the likelihood that a percentage of such products may contain significant quantities of mercury. The further risk to children and others within the household of someone who utilises mercury-containing products requires evaluation,” he said.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the type of mercury commonly found in skin-lightening products is inorganic mercury. Exposure to this form can lead to rashes and various skin-related issues. Additionally, other medical problems associated with mercury exposure include kidney damage, which may manifest as oedema, uremia (a buildup of waste products in your blood that occurs as a result of untreated kidney failure), and nephrotic syndrome, a collection of symptoms due to kidney damage. Furthermore, neurological effects such as paresthesia, anxiety, irritability, tremors, memory loss, depression, weight loss, and fatigue can occur. Research also indicates that an infant’s brain and nervous system development can be adversely affected by mercury exposure before and after birth. Excessive exposure may lead to birth defects, lower intelligence, memory and cognitive issues, as well as difficulties with motor skills.
Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, as signatories to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, have begun phasing out mercury-added products. Though Grenada is a CRMMN project partner, it has not signed the convention. Since 2021, the governments of Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda have received assistance from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) to eliminate mercury-added products (MAPs) as listed under Article 4 of the Minamata Convention.
Antigua and Barbuda has taken steps to enforce regulations regarding skin-lightening creams.
Dr Christian stated that the Department of Analytical Services, acting as the focal point for the Minamata Convention on Mercury, submitted a proposal for the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, concerning the development of regulatory measures for mercury in skin-lightening products. “While awaiting the completion of the administrative process to bring the regulation into force, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services has been engaged to restrict a few specific products that are known to contain high levels of mercury, based on the analytical data provided by the Department of Analytical Services,” he said.
In Grenada, as in many other Caribbean territories, the use of skin-lightening products is quite widespread. Two of the most popular brands of the many available locally contain mercury levels of 0.090 mg/kg and 0.001 mg/kg, respectively, levels acceptable by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Minamata Convention, according to Dr Christian.
10 years have passed since Dr Martin Forde last conducted research on assessing mercury levels in Grenada. Dr Forde, a professor at the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine of St George’s University (SGU), believes that updated research is necessary to evaluate the current mercury levels in Grenada.
In a study he conducted with researchers from Canada in Barbados in 2010 and reported in the journal Human and Ecological Risk Assessment titled “Mercury Levels in Barbadian Fisher Folk and Commonly Caught Fish Species,” they examined 46 individuals — 26 men (median age 46 years) and 20 women (median age 44 years) working in the fishing industry. The findings revealed that 4 women had dangerously high mercury levels, reaching as much as 5617 μg/g, which was later found to be caused by their use of skin-lightening creams.
At that time, Dr Forde advised the Government of Barbados that, in addition to either banning or closely monitoring these products to ensure they do not contain high levels of mercury, it would be crucial for the government to launch an educational campaign. He suggested that this campaign should specifically target women, informing them that using unapproved products to lighten their skin or reduce blemishes could cause more harm than good in the long run.
The issue of mercury levels in locally available skin-lightening products was brought to the attention of the Grenada Bureau of Standards on 29 April 2024 via email to the Technical Services Department, followed by another email on 2 May. They have yet to respond officially.
Dr Christian encourages Grenadian officials to take necessary action to safeguard their citizens. “There is always value in knowing one’s status in relation to matters relevant to human and environmental health protection. Multilateral agreements may provide a basis for enhancing activities at the national level. However, each convention has its obligations that may have significant consequences at the national level. Therefore, a national assessment would inform the need for adhering to treaties. Being a part of this convention is relevant to our region because the sound management of mercury is crosscutting and we would benefit from guidance developed under the Minamata Convention that may positively impact the medical sector, dental sector, electrical sector, food safety systems such a fisheries and fish consumption, and waste management,” he explained.
Dr Forde noted that Grenada’s capacity to legislate and monitor mercury levels in imported skin-lightening products is limited, hampered by insufficient funding for regulatory agencies, such as the Grenada Bureau of Standards, to consistently and effectively monitor samples. According to him, legislation is essential, but it is only one-half of the equation. “Having laws and regulations in place is important, but without proper funding, they become ineffective. For example, we may have laws that prohibit certain actions, but if there is no enforcement, those laws mean little. Grenada has very fluid borders, which makes regulation challenging.”
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Then ban the importation and enact criminal penalty for those who violate the law.