Substandard cosmetics cause skin cancer

LAHORE: Manufacturers of many low-cost cosmetic items use some banned chemicals and harmful whitening agents which may lead to skin and allergic diseases including skin cancer, says a report.

The Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) in its analysis report on the mushroom growth of cheap cosmetics said that many hazardous chemicals including steroid and mercury salts were being used in face whitening creams which had bad effects on skin and might lead to skin diseases including skin cancer and black spots on the skin.

Similarly, toxic metals, minerals, arsenic oxides and pig fat being used in imported bath soaps may affect the nerve system, it added.

In the same way chemicals lineralkoil benzene, sulphonic acid which is used in carpet manufacturing, washing of vehicles and floors are used in manufacturing of low-cost shampoo.

They also used banned PPD chemical in the manufacturing of cheap shampoo and hair dyes which may cause skin cancer, permanent hair fall and allergic problems, the report added.

It is the need of the hour to develop a mechanism to check the use of chemicals in cosmetics for larger interest of consumers.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan),2011