Antigua and Barbuda is set to impose a full ban the importation of skin-lightening creams and other cosmetics containing mercury, with new regulations expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
Dr Linroy Christian, Director of the Analytical Services Laboratory and Chair of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB), explained that the previous plan to limit mercury content in these products to one part per million will now be replaced with an outright ban.
Before there was a threshold, now there is no threshold once it contains it,” he said. He also noted that skin lightening creams often contain other harmful substances like hydroquinone and steroids, further justifying the decision to impose a full ban.
This policy change not only targets skin-lightening creams but extends to all cosmetic products containing mercury. It comes after extensive research, including studies on local wildlife, which highlighted the dangers of mercury exposure. Dr Christian noted that the final report from these studies is being completed and will soon be available to the public.
The decision to tighten regulations follows growing concerns about the serious health risks posed by mercury-laced skin-lightening creams. Long-term exposure to mercury can result in kidney damage, skin discoloration, and neurological effects. Local and international research has found that many of these products exceed the previously established mercury limit, with some creams containing alarmingly high levels of the toxic substance
In addition to the ban on mercury-based products, the government will also implement new regulations targeting sunscreens that contain chemicals harmful to coral reefs. “By this year as well, there’ll be certain sunscreens that would not be able to come into Antigua as well because they are known to destroy reefs and they’re still being imported.”
Dr Christian heads the PTCCB which was responsible for drafting the new regulations to be enforced under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act. The Board is due to have discussions with the Pharmacy Council to ensure that the legislation is passed and properly implemented.
We can focus on the mercury, but as a more comprehensive approach, we thought it best to engage the Pharmacy Council because the Pharmacy Council actually sits on Pesticides, but as a representative. So, there’s a natural collaboration and synergy there,” Dr Christian explained.
