Unpublished Ingredients of Beauty Products
One of the main ingredient used in beauty products is mica. It adds glitter and shine wherever it is applied. There are two types – Artificial and Natural. Natural Mica is in high demand in beauty products
The truth of beauty products that no manufacturer wants you to know
There were once 700 mines with thousands of workers working in these mines. But in 1980’s environmental regulations shut most of these mines. No rehabilitation was done. But since last decade the demand of natural products has caused a spur in demand for natural mica.
There were once 700 mines with thousands of workers working in these mines. But in 1980’s environmental regulations shut most of these mines. No rehabilitation was done. But since last decade the demand of natural products has caused a spur in demand for natural mica.
Koderma and Giridih districs of jharkhand have become infamous for such activities With ever rising demands along with environmental laws prohibiting regular mining,the locals have taken the matters into their hands.They are using primitive tools to mine Mica from abandoned mines .
Young Children Working in mines
Young children are employed in these activities. The reason being that these Rat hole mines are very space constrained. Also , kids are cheaper to employ. The companies want to maximise their profits and don’t care about Human right issues. Adults are unaffordable.
A family of of 5 to 6 members usually earn around rupees 100 to 150 per day. This gives them Just enough to remain alive. The mica sells at around 5 rupees per KG. They must mine at-least 20 to 30 kilos on daily basis. The kids employed in these miss their schools.
Approximately 20000 children are involved in this illegal mining venture. The sheer apathy of the government is shocking. These kids leave schools. They suffer from many respiratory diseases. Every month few kids die in these mines. Yet these thing never make into national news.
The top brands never check these things. 60% of natural mica used in beauty products worldwide comes from India. And almost 70% of it is illegally mined. That is 42% of the 500 million dollar market. Which means 210 million dollars. But most of it is grabbed by middlemen.
If only it was legalised again these workers would be employed in regular job. Government would be able to enforce safety norms. Use of primitive tools would end. Children could be sent to school. A CSR fund could be created to rehabilitate families.