EcoWaste Urges Public: Don’t Use Mercury to Counter Witchcraft

EcoWaste Coalition has echoed the Department of Health’s advisory warning against the use of liquid mercury to counter so-called kulam or barang due to serious health risks.

The DOH advisory released on June 29 cited evidence that mercury poisoning impairs the brain, nerves, kidneys, and other organs.

“May mga ebidensya na nagpapatunay na ang mercury poisoning ay nagdudulot ng malubhang epekto sa utak, ugat o nerve, bato o kidney, at iba pang organ ng katawan,” the advisory stated.

The DOH strongly discouraged the practice of using mercury against witchcraft, noting its toxic potential in any form or dosage.

It also urged the public to report vendors selling liquid mercury to docbrand@doh.gov.ph or contact DOH Toxicology Specialty Centers for advice.

EcoWaste Coalition had previously written to the DOH on February 7, 2025, requesting a public warning about mercury use promoted in e-commerce and social media platforms.

“People should not be lured into using such a highly toxic chemical… Toxic mercury has no known function in the human body and there is no level of mercury in the body that is deemed safe,” the group emphasized in its letter.

EcoWaste also alerted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in September 2023 about illegal mercury sales near Quiapo Church and online through herbal and amulet vendors.

The United Nations Environment Programme warns that cultural use of mercury can cause direct harm to users and contaminate environments through spills and vapor releases.

Although the Minamata Convention does not regulate traditional uses, DENR’s revised Chemical Control Order no longer exempts cultural applications, effectively banning these practices.

EcoWaste called on authorities to use the Internet Transactions Act to halt illegal online sales of mercury, mercurial medical devices, and cosmetics.

The group urges the public to respect the DOH warning for their own health and to preserve both individual and environmental safety.