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The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has detected dangerously high levels of mercury in eight brands of skin-lightening creams, warning consumers against using, selling or distributing the products due to serious health risks.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, BSTI said laboratory tests found mercury concentrations far exceeding the maximum permissible limit of 1.00 parts per million (ppm) set under the Bangladesh Standard (BDS 1382).
The agency noted that many skin-lightening creams available in local markets are not legally imported and often enter the country through luggage or smuggling routes, making quality verification difficult.
According to BSTI laboratory tests, the following mercury levels were detected:
Dew Beauty Cream (Pakistan) – 123.37 ppm
Chandni Whitening Cream (Pakistan) – 120.39 ppm
Noor Whitening Cream (Pakistan) – 82.76 ppm
Navia Whitening Cream (Pakistan) – 79.70 ppm
Natural Pearl Skin Cream (China) – 67.49 ppm
Navia Beauty Cream (Pakistan) – 59.82 ppm
Goree Beauty Cream (Pakistan) – 56.93 ppm
New Face Beauty Cream (Pakistan) – 44.72 ppm
BSTI warned that prolonged exposure to mercury through cosmetic products can pose severe health risks and urged consumers to stop using these creams immediately.
BSTI Director General Kazi Imdadul Haque said public health remains the agency's highest priority and warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone manufacturing, importing or marketing cosmetics containing hazardous substances.
He also advised consumers to verify BSTI approval before purchasing cosmetics and to report any suspicious products to the authority.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/bangladesh/1f190249-aac4-66c0-9b4d-808644d27c06