Skin lightening products dangerous to pregnant women: BAN Toxics

By Thony Dizon

Amidst the bustling holiday shopping season, BAN Toxics issues a cautionary advisory against the purchase and usage of skin-lightening products containing toxic chemicals, readily available in local markets and online platforms.
    The toxic watchdog expresses grave concern over the proliferation and ‘bargain’ sales of these hazardous beauty products due to their profound adverse health and safety effects, particularly among pregnant women.
    Despite being banned in the country and worldwide, mercury-containing whitening products are easily available for sale over the internet, promoted online on social media sites, and sold through mobile apps and local markets. Lightening products that do not contain mercury may contain other hazardous substances, such as hydroquinone, found in over-the-counter products used to correct skin discoloration.
    Since 2017, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), in collaboration with the Zero Mercury Waste Working Group (ZMWWG) and BAN Toxics, has gathered and analyzed data from testing and official sources. The findings underscore the alarming absence of effective controls, allowing the unhindered production and online sale of mercury-laden skin-lightening products.
    In its October 2023 report, 213 skin-lightening products (SLPs) were acquired from 23 online platforms across 12 countries, including the Philippines. Alarmingly, 191 of these products (90%) surpassed the 1 ppm limit mandated by governments and the Minamata Convention, with mercury concentrations ranging from 1.18 to 74,800.00 ppm.
    Ongoing online market surveillance of BAN Toxics likewise reveals a persistent presence of products containing mercury, a known hazard to human health. Recently, rebranded Pakistan-made Goree Gold Beauty Cream 24K products have surfaced in local beauty shops. Those identical products are also sold at discounted prices on shopping platforms like Shopee and Lazada, priced between P150 and P350 each.
    "Government should put an end to the illegal trade of mercury-added skin lightening cosmetics in both online and on-site markets. BAN Toxics urged the regulatory agencies to crack down on smugglers of these prohibited products," said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics.
    The growing popularity of the skin whitening industry in the country is unfortunately increasing the exposure of pregnant and non-pregnant women to the most common environmental pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals associated with various health impacts. 
    “The existing health and e-commerce regulations in the country should prevent online shopping platforms from continuous marketing of banned and prohibited whitening products. We have to safeguard the safety of the consumers, especially pregnant women, against toxic mercury exposure,” Dizon added.
    Adverse health effects of the use of mercury and hazardous substances in cosmetics include kidney damage, skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression, psychosis, and peripheral neuropathy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 
    The exposure of expecting mothers to harmful toxic substances is particularly worrisome due to the potential transfer of these chemicals from the mother to the fetus through both the placenta and breast milk. Such exposure during fetal development and infancy could lead to lasting health risks.
    “BAN Toxics reiterates its appeal to regulators to take action against the unethical and illegal promotion and sale of skin whitening cosmetics with undisclosed mercury content on online shopping and social media platforms,” the group added.
    Online businesses must adhere to the country's laws and regulations, including safeguarding online consumers against health and safety risks, as outlined in Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 22-01 Series of 2022.
    This order, established by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, and the National Privacy Commission, provides guidelines for online businesses to follow.
    To protect the public from the negative effects of hazardous chemicals in skin-lightening products, it is high time for the government to implement robust compliance and enforcement strategies, including identifying importers, manufacturers, and other supply chains, particularly within e-commerce sites. Health agencies should conduct public awareness campaigns and national advocacy to inform consumers about the health risks of skin-lightening products.
 

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= ‘Pagkalinga’ for teen moms set in Pangasinan town

YOUTH SUPPORT. The Commission on Population and Development-Ilocos Region launches its Pagkalinga (Pagkalinga sa mga Kabataang Magulang at Kanilang mga Anak) program in Malasiqui, Pangasinan on Friday (Oct. 13, 2023). Mayor Noel Anthony Geslani thanks the agency for choosing their town as the pilot area for the program that aims to support and guide teenage parents. (PNA photo by Hilda Austria)

By Hilda Austria 

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Fifty-one teenage parents here have been included in the pilot-testing of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) - Ilocos Region’s Pagkalinga (Pagkalinga sa mga Kabataang Magulang at Kanilang mga Anak) program.
    CPD-Ilocos regional director Erma Yapit, in an interview at the sidelines of the program’s launch at the Association of Barangay Council building in Barangay Poblacion on said the beneficiaries are aged 14 to 19 years old. 
    The program aims to support the young parents not only on navigating their new roles but also on helping them finish school.
    “Ito ay panimulang tulong sa kanila para sa ganun ay hindi masundan muli ang mga naunang anak at magabayan sila para matapos nila ang kanilang pag-aaral at maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap (This is an initial support to them so that they would not bear more children and they will be guided to finish their studies and achieve their goals in life),” she said.
    The three-month program has strategies that focus on social assistance and welfare services, social insurance, labor market interventions, social safety nets and child protection.

It aims to ensure that after graduating from the program, the teen parents have been protected from potential or ongoing gender-based violence, demonstrate effective life skills that can protect the mother from the risk of early motherhood, and achieve most of the young parents’ life plans. 

Yapit said each beneficiary will receive PHP500 per month once they attend the learning sessions on responsible parenthood and family-planning, gender-sensitive discussions, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, among others.

The beneficiaries will be closely monitored by the local government unit to ensure effectiveness of the program.

Mayor Noel Anthony Geslani thanked the CPD for choosing the town as a pilot area for the program.

“Do not give up on your dreams,” he told the beneficiaries.

Ella Mae, a 17-year-old teenage mom and one of the beneficiaries, said she is excited about the program.

She said it is her first time to attend a seminar that tackles teenage pregnancy and related topics.

“Nagpapasalamat po kasi may ganito na programa at makakatulong sa akin bilang first time na nanay (I am grateful that there is this king of program that would help me as a first-time Mom),” she said.

CPD is conducting the same program in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. (PNA)

 

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Program lessens teen pregnancies in Bauko town

By Saori S. Bayaona

BAUKO, Mountain Province – Health authorities here started a program to lessen rising teenage pregnancies/deliveries.
    This town’s Rural Health Unit recorded a decrease in teenage pregnancy/delivery rate here from 2020-2022 based on their annual monitoring.
    According to Lauren P. Dalmen, nurse of the Dept. of Health, a total of 66 cases, or two percent of teenage deliveries were recorded in 2020.
    In 2021, there were 34 cases, or 0.98 percent of teenage deliveries were reported. In 2022, there were 32 cases, or 0.95 percent.
    Dalmen said the effect of social media, vices (alcohol, smoking), lack of guidance, rebellion and curiosity was one of the many reasons for teenage deliveries.
    The decrease was attributed to the program “SaBaTa-BaTu Og-ogbo Toy-toya Isnan Anan-ak” (SHOTA) established in 2017 by a group of obstetricians from the RHU.
    Their partners included five municipalities Sabangan, Bauko, Tadian, Barlig, and Tubo, Abra. But in 2019, it was fully implemented to address the increasing teenage deliveries in Bauko.
    The program also aimed to solve HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, and vices.
    In 2017, the program was conducted in 12 schools in various barangays of Bauko. Unto; now, they have been conducting the program at least twice a day in every session to cover all four modules.
    The first and second module is conducted in the morning and the third and fourth module is held in the afternoon session.
    Module 1 contains lectures on adolescent health and development, Module 2 focuses on facts or bluffs regarding adolescent health, Module 3 discusses daily routines and risky moves of teenagers, and Module 4 discusses coping with teen challenges.
    The activity is conducted through lectures and open forums. Prizes are given during question-and-answer sessions.
    One of the schools they visited to conduct the program was Abatan National High School (ANHS).
According to Glory M. Pal-og, school head of ANHS, the program was intended for students to be aware of their health.
    She suggested the program conducted twice a year to see the progress.
    Students reportedly enjoyed the program as they were encouraged to learn more.
    She added activities included psychosocial and addressing issues experienced by students.
    “The program was very well participated by students. They enjoyed listening especially activities wherein they learn much, that’s why I observed they like more. There should be follow-ups so we would be able to monitor the progress.”
    Patricia B. Wangdali, school nurse of ANHS, said the program aimed to inform and educate students on issues of adolescence and being health conscious.
    “The program had an impact on the students as they were aware especially, that mental health issues were happening,” she said.
    A student leader from Abatan National High School said the program made them more aware of their environment and consequences of their actions.
 

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Baguio execs alarmed on increase of teen mothers

BAGUIO CITY -- Local civil registration authorities raised alarm over the reported more than forty five percent increase in the number of young mothers that gave birth during the first quarter of this year compared to those young mothers who gave birth during the same period last year.
    Local Civil Registrar Luz Perez said during the first quarter this year, there were some 108 babies who were born to mothers aged 15 to 19 years old which is 45.94 percent higher than the 74 babies who were born by mothers of the same age bracket during the same period last year.
    She said the youngest mother who gave birth was age 13 while the oldest was 46.
    For the first quarter of this year, the local civil registrar stipulated that there were 1,379 live births that were recorded, a slight increase of 86 births or 6.65 percent compared to the 1,293 births during the first quarter of 2021.
Perez said there were more males who were born during the first quarter of this year with 701 compared to the number of females which was 678.
    There were some 29 births that were late registered which also increased by 26.09 percent compared to the 23 late registered births during the first quarter of last year, she said.
    In terms of legitimacy, she said 48.08 percent of the reported births are said to be legitimate while 51.92 percent were children born out of wedlock during the first quarter of this year.
    Perez said children born out of wedlock exceeded the number of legitimate live births by 3.84 percent in the first quarter of this year as compared to 1.46 percent in 2021 of the same quarter. – Dexter A. See

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Teenage pregnancy in Benguet drops

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Teenage pregnancy cases in Benguet showed a drop for the past two years based on records of the Provincial Health Office. 

    PHO records showed from 1,046 teenage pregnancies in 2017, it spiraled down to 549 cases or a drop of almost 50 percent in 2018 and  further down to  239  cases in 2019. 

    Provincial Health Office Medical Health Officer Dr. Antonette Agpas during an online forum on adolescent reproductive health said teenage pregnancy is multi-factorial such that its decrease cannot be attributed to only one intervention. 

    “We cannot directly attribute the drop in the number of cases to our interventions but we did have interventions for awareness to the youth, capacitation of service providers in health and education. These are what we can say interventions that we have provided,” Agpas said.

    In 2013 when the young adult fertility survey showed Cordillera had the highest teenage pregnancy cases, it was an eye-opener which the PHO together with its partners, the Dept. of Health and Commission on Population, initiated programs and advocacy efforts focused on teenage pregnancy.  

    These were implemented in schools and local government units at the provincial and municipal levels, she informed.

    Through their advocacy, adolescent friendly facilities were established in the municipalities including hospitals which now cater to more adolescents.  With the establishment of the exclusive facility, it has removed the stigma among teenagers being combined with adults in sharing their concerns, Agpas said. 

    Although each municipality has established its own adolescent friendly facility, based on DOH standards,  only Kibungan reached level I criteria such as documentary requirements, set-up, room, designation of a trained personnel, information and education materials, among other protocols.  

    Teen centers were also established in schools while peer educators  were trained  to  talk to their peers in schools. If there is a need for counseling they are referred to their teachers who were also trained on counselling skills. This intervention  was  found effective,  according to Agpas.

    The establishment of teen centers was initially piloted in Mankayan but has expanded to other schools in other towns.

    Agpas said a multi-sectoral involvement is needed not only among the health and education sector to come up with a wholistic approach in dealing with issues and concerns in teenage pregnancy, -- PIA Benguet   
 

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