Three New York Companies Ordered to Cease and Desist Selling Hazardous Skin-Lightening ProductsAG James Warns New Yorkers About Potential Health Risks of Elevated Mercury Levels in Certain Skin Lightening ProductsNew York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office has ordered three New York companies – Aleena Cosmetics, Axabee Skincare, and Singhcart, LLC – to immediately stop selling skin-lightening creams and other cosmetics that contain unlawful and dangerous levels of mercury. An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation revealed that the three companies sell dozens of products with mercury concentrations up to 30,000 times greater than the legal limit under state law. Attorney General James is also warning New Yorkers about the risks of illegal elevated mercury levels in skin-lightening products, which can cause neurological damage, kidney and liver harm, skin rashes, or pose serious risks to fetal development.
“Mercury is poison, not a beauty treatment, and no company has any business selling it to consumers,” said Attorney General James. “Products with mercury levels this high are dangerous and illegal. My office is shutting down these unlawful sales to protect consumers throughout New York. We will not let companies profit by endangering New Yorkers’ health.”
The OAG launched an investigation into mercury in skin lighteners following reports from public health advocates and community organizations. The OAG investigators purchased and tested a range of products from Aleena Cosmetics and Axabee Skincare, both based in Malverne, Nassau County. Through independent laboratory testing, OAG found that all of the skin-lightening products purchased and tested from the two companies contained illegal mercury levels, in some cases 30,000 times higher than allowable levels. Under New York law, only “trace amounts” of mercury – less than one part per million – are allowed in these products. The OAG was able to purchase several of the same illegal products from Singhcart, LLC, based in Valley Stream, Nassau County.
As a result, OAG is issuing cease-and-desist letters to the three companies, directing them to immediately stop selling any products containing unlawful levels of mercury. The companies must confirm compliance within five business days. Attorney General James warns that failure to comply may result in legal action and civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation per day.
Skin-lightening products are frequently marketed to women of color and sold in immigrant and minority communities. Mercury is often added to these products, also marketed as “beauty creams” or “pearl creams”, which claim to whiten or brighten the skin or treat dark spots, acne, scars, freckles, or wrinkles. These products are often available in small shops, bodegas, and online. Notably, exposure is not limited to direct use. Mercury can contaminate household items such as towels, bedding, and clothing; it can be inhaled as vapor; and it can be ingested accidentally. This means even people who do not use the products directly may be exposed, including infants.
New Yorkers can reduce their risk of mercury exposure by avoiding products that:
- Do not list ingredients;
- List mercury, calomel, mercuric, mercurous, or mercurio as an ingredient; or
- Are manufactured abroad and labeled only in languages other than English.
Consumers who have used non-prescription skin-lightening products should consult their health care provider about testing for mercury exposure. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include irritability, tremors, memory problems, changes in vision or hearing, depression, and numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or around the mouth. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should immediately call the New York Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The OAG investigation found the following products contained illegal levels of mercury:
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has also published a list of skin-lightening products containing high levels of mercury.
Consumers can report the sales of these products in New York City by calling 311 or, outside of the city, reporting to OAG’s Environmental Protection Bureau or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Products containing mercury should never be thrown in the garbage and must be disposed at approved disposal sites. For disposal instructions, consumers can visit the New York City Department of Sanitation or DEC websites.
The OAG is working with WE ACT for Environmental Justice, the Zero Mercury Working Group, DOHMH, and DEC to protect vulnerable communities from mercury in skin lighteners and other products.
New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office has ordered three New York companies – Aleena Cosmetics, Axabee Skincare, and Singhcart, LLC – to immediately stop selling skin-lightening creams and other cosmetics that contain unlawful and dangerous levels of mercury. An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation revealed that the three companies sell dozens of products with mercury concentrations up to 30,000 times greater than the legal limit under state law. Attorney General James is also warning New Yorkers about the risks of illegal elevated mercury levels in skin-lightening products, which can cause neurological damage, kidney and liver harm, skin rashes, or pose serious risks to fetal development.
“Mercury is poison, not a beauty treatment, and no company has any business selling it to consumers,” said Attorney General James. “Products with mercury levels this high are dangerous and illegal. My office is shutting down these unlawful sales to protect consumers throughout New York. We will not let companies profit by endangering New Yorkers’ health.”
The OAG launched an investigation into mercury in skin lighteners following reports from public health advocates and community organizations. The OAG investigators purchased and tested a range of products from Aleena Cosmetics and Axabee Skincare, both based in Malverne, Nassau County. Through independent laboratory testing, OAG found that all of the skin-lightening products purchased and tested from the two companies contained illegal mercury levels, in some cases 30,000 times higher than allowable levels. Under New York law, only “trace amounts” of mercury – less than one part per million – are allowed in these products. The OAG was able to purchase several of the same illegal products from Singhcart, LLC, based in Valley Stream, Nassau County.
As a result, OAG is issuing cease-and-desist letters to the three companies, directing them to immediately stop selling any products containing unlawful levels of mercury. The companies must confirm compliance within five business days. Attorney General James warns that failure to comply may result in legal action and civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation per day.
Skin-lightening products are frequently marketed to women of color and sold in immigrant and minority communities. Mercury is often added to these products, also marketed as “beauty creams” or “pearl creams”, which claim to whiten or brighten the skin or treat dark spots, acne, scars, freckles, or wrinkles. These products are often available in small shops, bodegas, and online. Notably, exposure is not limited to direct use. Mercury can contaminate household items such as towels, bedding, and clothing; it can be inhaled as vapor; and it can be ingested accidentally. This means even people who do not use the products directly may be exposed, including infants.
New Yorkers can reduce their risk of mercury exposure by avoiding products that:
- Do not list ingredients;
- List mercury, calomel, mercuric, mercurous, or mercurio as an ingredient; or
- Are manufactured abroad and labeled only in languages other than English.
Consumers who have used non-prescription skin-lightening products should consult their health care provider about testing for mercury exposure. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include irritability, tremors, memory problems, changes in vision or hearing, depression, and numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or around the mouth. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should immediately call the New York Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The OAG investigation found the following products contained illegal levels of mercury:
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has also published a list of skin-lightening products containing high levels of mercury.
Consumers can report the sales of these products in New York City by calling 311 or, outside of the city, reporting to OAG’s Environmental Protection Bureau or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Products containing mercury should never be thrown in the garbage and must be disposed at approved disposal sites. For disposal instructions, consumers can visit the New York City Department of Sanitation or DEC websites.
The OAG is working with WE ACT for Environmental Justice, the Zero Mercury Working Group, DOHMH, and DEC to protect vulnerable communities from mercury in skin lighteners and other products.
No comments:
Post a Comment