Resources

Recent tests in the U.S. state of Minnesota show that some skin lightening products have dangerous levels of mercury. Being exposed to the mercury in these products could cause serious health problems. This factsheet provides basic information for the general public. More information available here.

The use of skin fairness products that frequently contain toxic ingredients is associated with significant adverse health side effects. Due to the high prevalence of use in Asian and African countries, skin fairness product use is recognized as a growing public health concern.

Background. Skin lightening is very popular among women and some men of the Caribbean, and its popularity appears to be growing. The lightening of skin colour is done to produce a lighter complexion which is believed to increase attractiveness, social standing and improves one’s potential of being successful.

This guide provides a simplified list of steps governments may take in preparing to undertake the Convention Article 4 obligations. It is intended to facilitate the implementation of the legal, institutional, and practical components of a mercury product phase out strategy, including those that may be performed as part of Minamata Initial Assessments (MIAs).

UN Environment Chemicals and Health Branch is developing and populating a databank on chemicals analyses, in particular on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury (Hg).

[ Spanish ]

This policy brief focuses on the findings of a recently completed study, carried out to investigate the health threats and challenges, due to use of Skin Whitening Creams (SWCs) in some selected main cities of Pakistan. In light of these findings, described and discussed in its following pages, this policy brief presents recommendations.

World Health Organization Fact sheet webpage on Mercury in health, including Key facts, Exposure to mercury, Health effects of mercury exposure, How to reduce human exposure from mercury sources, Mercury use in vaccines and pharmaceuticals, Political agreement and WHO Response.

The world’s nations adopted the Minamata Convention on Mercury to protect human health and the environment from mercury pollution. A good understanding of mercury supply, trade and demand is critical to effective implementation of the Convention.

This report presents a range of measures already taken by some countries in pursuit of their objectives to phase down or entirely eliminate the use of dental amalgam. It is intended that these examples may inspire and instruct other countries’ efforts to implement this provision of the Minamata Convention.

Country case study: Mercury added products: Country situation analysis in Bangladesh (Product inventory and emission source identification)

In the light of new developments and studies on dental amalgam a request was submitted by the Commission to update the SCENIHR opinion produced in 2008 on the safety and performance of both dental amalgam and possible alternatives, such as resin-based composites, glass ionomer cements, ceramics and gold alloys.

Country case study: Replacing mercury-added products and promoting improved management of mercury-added products waste in Madagascar 

[ English / Chinese / French / Russian / Spanish / Portuguese ]

Guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on developing national strategies for phasing out mercury containing products used in the health industry.

Country case study: Promoting the ‘phase down’ Approach of Dental Amalgam in Developing Countries – Tanzania

[ English / Spanish ]

GLOBAL - Health Care Without Harm

Report of the implementation of the UNEP/WHO/government of Kenya east africa dental amalgam phase- down project

Country case study: East African Dental Amalgam phase down project (EADAP)-Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda -  Country report for project implementation activities in Uganda

Brochure with information on alternatives to mercury-added products

A report detailing the outcomes of the UNEP-WHO project on promoting the phase down of dental amalgam in developing countries.

Health Care Without Harm developed a script for the video based on the UNDP GEF Global Health Care Waste Project “Guidance Document on the Cleanup, Temporary or Intermediate Storage, and Transport of Mercury Waste from Healthcare Facilities”.

Cosmetic skin lightening is practiced worldwide. Mercury is a well-documented melanotoxin added to some lightening products. However, mercury can cause many dermatologic, renal, and neurologic problems. The Food and Drug Administration limits the amount of mercury in cosmetic products to trace amounts, 1 ppm.

Somali women often use creams and soaps to lighten skin tone, fade freckles or get rid of age spots. Use of these products raises a health concern, as some have been found to contain mercury. This article describes an investigation that involved interviewing Somali women about skin-lightening practices and the products they use and then testing those products for mercury.

A two days Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop funded by World Dental Federation (FDI) was organized in collaboration with United Nations Environment program (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Association of Dental Manufactures (IDM).

[ French ] Les Dangers de la Dépigmentation (France 2 en direct), Isabelle Mananga Ossey (Association Label Beauté Noire).