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A recent study conducted by the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO) has revealed dangerously high level of mercury in skin-lightening creams widely sold across Bangladesh.
In collaboration with the European Environmental Bureau and BAN Toxics, ESDO tested 26 popular products and found that 22 of them exceeded the internationally accepted mercury limit of 1 part per million (ppm)-some by tens of thousands of times.
The study findings were released at a progarmme held at ESDO Conference Room in the capital on Thursday.
The most alarming discovery was Due Beauty Cream, which contained 24,800 ppm of mercury, nearly 25,000 times above the safe level.
Other hazardous products include Golden Pearl Beauty Cream (20,700 ppm), FEIQUE Herbal Extract Whitening Cream (15,500 ppm), Parley Beauty Cream (10,000 ppm), and Kim Whitening Ginseng & Pearl Cream (7,400 ppm).
Even more concerning is that some of these high-mercury products-like Due, Golden Pearl, and Goree Beauty Cream-have already been banned by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), but remain readily available both in local markets and online.
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in the body, leading to irreversible damage to the nervous system, kidneys, lungs, and immune system.
The World Health Organization warns that chronic mercury exposure can result in permanent cognitive impairments, especially in pregnant women and children.
Alarmingly, mercury can also evaporate from creams and contaminate air and household environments, posing health risks to others who do not even use the products.
Regulatory enforcement, however, appears to be falling short.
A BSTI official admitted that while raids and monitoring operations are ongoing, controlling the spread of these banned items-especially online-remains a major challenge.
Experts argue that stronger legislation, stricter penalties, and inter-agency coordination are crucial to tackle this escalating public health crisis.
The problem is not limited to Bangladesh. Many of these products originate in countries like China, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam, and enter Bangladesh through illegal trade routes. Similar concerns have been raised in the Philippines, where hundreds of banned creams are still being sold.
"Despite some progress in both local and international regulations, it is alarming that these products remain available in the market, putting public health at risk and contributing to environmental pollution," said Prof Dr Md Abul Hashem, former chairman of the Department of Chemistry, Jahangirnagar University, and Senior Technical Adviser of ESDO.
BSTI Deputy Director Abu Sayed said, "We are running mobile courts, monitoring markets and online platforms even going under cover to detect banned skin-lightening creams. But BSTI alone cannot tackle this issue. Public awareness and joint efforts from citizens, organisations, media, and all sectors are essential."
"There is a need for concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and environmental groups to raise public awareness on the dangers of mercury. Mercury in creams is a silent killer that will slowly harm individuals over time, often without immediate symptoms," Dr. Shahriar Hossain, senior technical adviser of ESDO, added.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mercury is toxic to human health and can cause irreparable damage to the nervous system.
The international coalition Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG) also warns that prolonged use of mercury-containing skin-lightening products may harm the eyes, lungs, kidneys and digestive and immune systems.
Mercury in beauty products not only endangers users but also poses risks to others, as it can vaporise and spread through direct or indirect contact.
Infants, children, and developing fetuses are particularly vulnerable to its harmful developmental effects.
BAN Toxics Advocacy and Campaign Officer Thony Dizon, meanwhile, says that the persistent availability of mercury-containing beauty products is a global concern, and that their illegal transboundary trade requires urgent intergovernmental cooperation and action.
He noted that the declared countries of origin of the 18 mercury-positive samples include Pakistan, China, Korea, Thailand, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
"These findings highlight the urgent need for stronger border controls, regional cooperation, and consistent enforcement of international agreements like the Minamata Convention on Mercury," Dizon said.
"Countries must work together to stop the production, trade, and sale of these toxic products that continue to harm vulnerable communities," he added.
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