To examine the level of mercury contamination in face whitening products on the Thai market and to increase awareness among consumers about the danger of mercury and the importance of eliminating mercury from products, Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (EARTH) conducted sampling and an awareness-raising campaign. Results of the sampling confirmed that 20% of all face whitening products studied were contaminated with mercury, although limitations in the testing process indicate this could be higher. Surprisingly, most of the products on the market that are contaminated with mercury are also on the Thai government’s list of dangerous products, pointing to lax oversight and poor enforcement. After publicizing these results via various media channels, including a high visibility press conference, EARTH submitted a formal letter to the Thai government informing them of the results and demanding action.
