Skin-Lightening Cream Put A Woman Into A Coma. It Could Happen Again.

[OfTheCross]

Authorities aren’t releasing her name, but they say she is the first known victim of methylmercury poisoning from a cosmetic in the U.S.

Methylmercury is a heavy metal used in things like thermometers, batteries and mirrors, and long-term exposure can cause kidney damage, loss of peripheral vision and lack of coordination.

The chemical — along with a less potent, but still toxic, form of mercury known as calomel — is also a key ingredient in skin-lightening products.

<Snip>  Remember to excerpt articles.

khn

If these items can't be kept up with by the FDA, maybe we shouldn't allow them in?

[PeteS in CA]

I'm going to make a semi-informed, semi-wild guess that most of the victims are Chinese or Taiwanese. For some reason it is popular for women's cosmetics to has something that makes the users' skin look lighter. My daughter can't use Chinese cosmetics because, as she says, she's pale enough already. Sad to say, Chinese products are not always well known for safety and purity.

[Wingnut]

If these items can't be kept up with by the FDA, maybe we shouldn't allow them in?

How many shades lighter are you now?

[Elderberry]

World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/mercury_flyer.pdf

PREVENTING DISEASE THROUGH HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS

MERCURY IN SKIN LIGHTENING PRODUCTS

Mercury is a common ingredient found in skin lightening soaps and creams.  It is also found in other cosmetics, such as eye makeup cleansing products and mascara.1–3 Skin lightening soaps and creams are commonly used in certain African and Asian nations.1,  4,5 They are also used among dark-skinned populations in Europe and North America.2,  6,7 Mercury salts inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in a lighter skin tone.8,9

Mercury in cosmetics exists in two forms: inorganic and organic.3,10,11 Inorganic mercury (e.g. ammoniated mercury) is  used in skin lightening soaps and creams.  Organic mercury compounds (thiomersal [ethyl mercury] and phenyl mercuric salts) are used as cosmetic preservatives in eye makeup cleansing products and mascara.

The main adverse effect of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening soaps and creams is kidney damage.9 Mercury in skin lightening products may also cause skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections.1,3 Other effects include anxiety, depression or psychosis and peripheral neuropathy.1–3•

The medical literature reports specific instances of individuals suffering from the aforementioned health effects following exposure to mercury through skin lightening creams and soaps. One case report describes a 34-year-old Chinese woman who developed nephrotic syndrome, a condition marked by high levels of protein in the urine. The mercury levels in her blood and urine returned to normal one month and nine months, respectively, after she stopped using the skin lightening cream.28

[Sanguine]

So, the point of posting this is to show that we need the FDA to keep us from going to Mexico and buying adulterated products?

[OfTheCross]

So, the point of posting this is to show that we need the FDA to keep us from going to Mexico and buying adulterated products?

Stop looking for an agenda in everything and start receiving information.

Tomorrow you can tell your wife you read an article online about bad Pond cosmetics coming from Mexico and maybe have a bonding moment.

It's just news, mon frere

[Wingnut]

Stop looking for an agenda in everything and start receiving information.

Rich..  Very rich.

[Sanguine]

Rich..  Very rich.

Very.  And, for the record, @The Ghost is NOT my wife.

[corbe]

[Wingnut]

Very.  And, for the record, @The Ghost is NOT my wife.

I could be open to that arrangement in another life.

[Sanguine]

I could be open to that arrangement in another life.