Prices for unlabeled D-cell batteries tended to be lower. Prices for labelled D-cell batteries tended to be higher (10 - 100 SOM per battery) than with unlabeled ones (5 - 40 SOM), especially at the lowest prices. Button batteries are poorly labelled. For the second selected type of battery, the alkaline button cell LR 44 (1.5 V), nine (9) different brands were found. For these, the labelling was not as evident and fewer of the products were indicated to be mercury-free (22%). Prices were very similar for button batteries. All prices for labelled and unlabeled button batteries were comparable. Most batteries were imported. None of the batteries could be identified as being produced in Kyrgyzstan. The majority of them came from Korea and China with a few coming from EU countries and elsewhere. Two of the imports were identified as containing mercury by their packaging. Both of these came from China. Six could not be identified as to their manufacturing country.
5.2.4
Status of the availability and use of mercury-containing skinlightening products in Bishkek and Issyk-Ata, Kyrgyzstan
Participants. The Cosmetic Survey was done in ten (10) retail outlets and four (4) local dealers, and two (2) market places in Bishkek and Issyk-Ata, Kyrgyzstan for the side of the merchants, and with twenty-five (25) persons using skin-lightening soaps.
5.2.4.1
Kyrgyz Consumer Cosmetic Survey
Participants. From the total number of consumers interviewed there were sixteen (16) academics (including college graduates, artists, monks and other persons with “brain power”), five (5) craftsmen, three (3) temporarily unemployed, and one (1) farmer. (See Tab. 5.4) Consumers knew mercury-free products were available. Most persons asked (60%) had knowledge that mercury-free skin lightening products were available in their region, some answered that they “were not interested in it”, and one person said she “did not see any statement concerning that.” This lack of awareness was prevalent 67