The desire for light skin among blacks has led to the creation of
several skin lightening regimen, into which harmful chemicals have been
introduced.
Several brands of soap with high contents of mercury are sold in Africa
south of the Sahara. These products are produced in many European countries and
exported to Africa (because they are banned in those countries).
The real purpose of mercury in these products is to make black skin and
hair lighter, although the labels on the soaps often state that they are
germicidal.
Mercury inhibits the synthesis of melanin in the skin. Melanin is
responsible for the pigmentation (colour) of your skin. It also helps absorb
excessive UV light from sunlight.
Mercury containing products are often
marketed as skin anti-acne treatment, skin lighteners or anti-aging treatments.
Mercury and mercury compounds are also banned by the cosmetic product (prohibition
of bleaching agents etc) regulations 2005 and NAFDAC’s Guidelines for
registration of imported cosmetics in Nigeria. According to NAFDAC, exposure to
mercury can cause dermatitis and kidney damage. Soaps containing mercury
include Tura, Crusader, Peuclaire, Movate, A3, Mic, Looking good and Sivoclaire.
Mercury in soap gets released into waste
water when you take your bath. This waste water can get into water bodies
containing fish. Mercury then accumulates in the fish. When this fish is eaten,
mercury is released into the body. In pregnant women, mercury causes
maldevelopment of the brain.
The FDA recommends that you read the label of any
skin lightening creams you use. Products containing mercury will have the
words “mercury,” “mercurous chloride”, “mercuric,” “mercurio,”
or “calomel.” If there is no label or list of ingredients do
not use that product.
Mercury is a toxic chemical that is readily
absorbed into the body but it is not easily removed. When
mercury is used for skin whitening the initial side effects can
include skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring.
The World Health Organisation advises that using
mercury on a long term basis can damage the kidneys and the nervous
system. It can also cause depression or psychosis and interfere with
the development of the brain in unborn children and very young children.
Scientific research has
demonstrated that mercury, even in small amounts, can damage the brain, nervous
system, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands,
blood cells, enzymes and hormones. Mercury is also known to suppress the
T-cells of immune system by as much as 100%.
“There is no safe level of mercury, and
no one has actually shown that there is a safe level,” said Dr. Lars Friberg,
Chief Adviser to the WHO on mercury safety. The Surviving Cancer Compendium has
an extensive section on chemical and heavy metal poisoning because mercury
toxicity needs to be factored into all notions of health and disease today.
According to the observations made by the internationally recognized medical
researcher, Yoshiaki Omura, MD, all cancer cells have mercury in
them.
Health
Organization (WHO) has issued a warning against skin lightening soaps, creams
and cosmetics like eye makeup, cleansing products and mascara, saying they
could be containing mercury.
The warning is serious, especially for Indians, as WHO said 61% of the
dermatological market here consists of skin lightening products. WHO said the
serious adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is a common ingredient
found in skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney damage, reduction in
the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression
or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy.
The global health watchdog pointed out that mercury in soaps and creams is
eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury, then, enters environment,
where it becomes methylated, and enters the food chain as highly toxic
methylmercury in fish. Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury
transfer the mercury to their fetuses that can later result in neurological
deficits in children.
WHO said skin lightening soaps and creams are commonly used in certain African
and Asian nations and dark-skinned populations in Europe and North America.
Mercury salts inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in aRecommended By Colombia"Some manufacturers are no longer using mercury as a preservative in
mascara and eye makeup cleansing products as a result of consumer pressure.
However, most jurisdictions still allow the sale of makeup products containing
mercury compounds. The soaps contain approximately 1%-3% mercury iodide, and
the creams are composed of 1%-10% mercury ammonium," WHO said. It is imperative to check for mercury content on the packaging of the soaps,
creams or other cosmetics before getting hooked to them. WHO added, "The amount or concentration of mercury in a product may be
labelled on the packaging or in the ingredient list. Names to look for include
mercury, Hg, mercuric iodide, mercurous chloride, ammoniated mercury, amide
chloride of mercury, quicksilver, cinnabaris, hydrargyri oxydum rubrum (mercury
oxide), mercury iodide. Directions to avoid contact with silver, gold, rubber,
aluminum and jewellery may also indicate the presence of mercury. However,
companies selling products that contain mercury, do not always list it as an
ingredient." The United States Food and Drug Administration allows mercury compounds in eye
area cosmetics at concentrations at or below 65 mg/kg expressed as mercury
(approximately 100 mg/kg expressed as phenylmercuric acetate or nitrate). All
other cosmetics must contain mercury at a concentration less than 1 mg/kg. "India too is bringing in laws to regulate the cosmetic industry. We will
regulate mercury use in soaps, creams and cosmetics," a health ministry official The World Health
Organization (WHO) has issued a warning against skin lightening soaps, creams
and cosmetics like eye makeup, cleansing products and mascara, saying they
could be containing mercury.
The warning is serious, especially for Indians, as WHO said 61% of the
dermatological market here consists of skin lightening products. WHO said the
serious adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is a common ingredient
found in skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney damage, reduction in
the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression
or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy.
The global health watchdog pointed out that mercury in soaps and creams is
eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury, then, enters environment,
where it becomes methylated, and enters the food chain as highly toxic
methylmercury in fish. Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury
transfer the mercury to their fetuses that can later result in neurological
deficits in children.
WHO said skin lightening soaps and creams are commonly used in certain African
and Asian nations and dark-skinned populations in Europe and North America.
Mercury salts inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in a lighter skin
tone. Recommended By Colombia"Some manufacturers are no longer using mercury as a preservative in
mascara and eye makeup cleansing products as a result of consumer pressure.
However, most jurisdictions still allow the sale of makeup products containing
mercury compounds. The soaps contain approximately 1%-3% mercury iodide, and
the creams are composed of 1%-10% mercury ammonium," WHO said. It is imperative to check for mercury content on the packaging of the soaps,
creams or other cosmetics before getting hooked to them. WHO added, "The amount or concentration of mercury in a product may be
labelled on the packaging or in the ingredient list. Names to look for include mercury,
Hg, mercuric iodide, mercurous chloride, ammoniated mercury, amide chloride of
mercury, quicksilver, cinnabaris, hydrargyri oxydum rubrum (mercury oxide),
mercury iodide. Directions to avoid contact with silver, gold, rubber, aluminum
and jewellery may also indicate the presence of mercury. However, companies
selling products that contain mercury, do not always list it as an
ingredient." The United States Food and Drug Administration allows mercury compounds in eye
area cosmetics at concentrations at or below 65 mg/kg expressed as mercury
(approximately 100 mg/kg expressed as phenylmercuric acetate or nitrate). All
other cosmetics must contain mercury at a concentration less than 1 mg/kg. "India too is bringing in laws to regulate the cosmetic industry. We will
regulate mercury use in soaps, creams and cosmetics," a health ministry
official The World Health
Organization (WHO) has issued a warning against skin lightening soaps, creams
and cosmetics like eye makeup, cleansing products and mascara, saying they
could be containing mercury.
The warning is serious, especially for Indians, as WHO said 61% of the
dermatological market here consists of skin lightening products. WHO said the
serious adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is a common ingredient
found in skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney damage, reduction in
the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression
or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy.
The global health watchdog pointed out that mercury in soaps and creams is
eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury, then, enters environment,
where it becomes methylated, and enters the food chain as highly toxic
methylmercury in fish. Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury
transfer the mercury to their fetuses that can later result in neurological
deficits in children.
WHO said skin lightening soaps and creams are commonly used in certain African
and Asian nations and dark-skinned populations in Europe and North America.
Mercury salts inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in a lighter skin
tone. Recommended By Colombia"Some manufacturers are no longer using mercury as a preservative in
mascara and eye makeup cleansing products as a result of consumer pressure.
However, most jurisdictions still allow the sale of makeup products containing
mercury compounds. The soaps contain approximately 1%-3% mercury iodide, and
the creams are composed of 1%-10% mercury ammonium," WHO said. It is imperative to check for mercury content on the packaging of the soaps,
creams or other cosmetics before getting hooked to them. WHO added, "The amount or concentration of mercury in a product may be
labelled on the packaging or in the ingredient list. Names to look for include
mercury, Hg, mercuric iodide, mercurous chloride, ammoniated mercury, amide
chloride of mercury, quicksilver, cinnabaris, hydrargyri oxydum rubrum (mercury
oxide), mercury iodide. Directions to avoid contact with silver, gold, rubber,
aluminum and jewellery may also indicate the presence of mercury. However,
companies selling products that contain mercury, do not always list it as an
ingredient." The United States Food and Drug Administration allows mercury compounds in eye
area cosmetics at concentrations at or below 65 mg/kg expressed as mercury
(approximately 100 mg/kg expressed as phenylmercuric acetate or nitrate). All
other cosmetics must contain mercury at a concentration less than 1 mg/kg. "India too is bringing in laws to regulate the cosmetic industry. We will
regulate mercury use in soaps, creams and cosmetics," a health ministry official The World Health
Organization (WHO) has issued a warning against skin lightening soaps, creams
and cosmetics like eye makeup, cleansing products and mascara, saying they
could be containing mercury.
The warning is serious, especially for Indians, as WHO said 61% of the
dermatological market here consists of skin lightening products. WHO said the
serious adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is a common ingredient
found in skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney damage, reduction in
the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression
or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy.
The global health watchdog pointed out that mercury in soaps and creams is
eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury, then, enters environment,
where it becomes methylated, and enters the food chain as highly toxic
methylmercury in fish. Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury
transfer the mercury to their fetuses that can later result in neurological
deficits in children.
WHO said skin lightening soaps and creams are commonly used in certain African
and Asian nations and dark-skinned populations in Europe and North America.
Mercury salts inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in a lighter skin
tone. Recommended By Colombia"Some manufacturers are no longer using mercury as a preservative in
mascara and eye makeup cleansing products as a result of consumer pressure.
However, most jurisdictions still allow the sale of makeup products containing
mercury compounds. The soaps contain approximately 1%-3% mercury iodide, and
the creams are composed of 1%-10% mercury ammonium," WHO said. It is imperative to check for mercury content on the packaging of the soaps,
creams or other cosmetics before getting hooked to them. WHO added, "The amount or concentration of mercury in a product may be
labelled on the packaging or in the ingredient list. Names to look for include mercury,
Hg, mercuric iodide, mercurous chloride, ammoniated mercury, amide chloride of
mercury, quicksilver, cinnabaris, hydrargyri oxydum rubrum (mercury oxide),
mercury iodide. Directions to avoid contact with silver, gold, rubber, aluminum
and jewellery may also indicate the presence of mercury. However, companies
selling products that contain mercury, do not always list it as an
ingredient." The United States Food and Drug Administration allows mercury compounds in eye
area cosmetics at concentrations at or below 65 mg/kg expressed as mercury
(approximately 100 mg/kg expressed as phenylmercuric acetate or nitrate). All
other cosmetics must contain mercury at a concentration less than 1 mg/kg. "India too is bringing in laws to regulate the cosmetic industry. We will
regulate mercury use in soaps, creams and cosmetics," a health ministry
official The World Health
Organization (WHO) has issued a warning against skin lightening soaps, creams
and cosmetics like eye makeup, cleansing products and mascara, saying they
could be containing mercury.
The warning is serious, especially for Indians, as WHO said 61% of the
dermatological market here consists of skin lightening products. WHO said the
serious adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is a common ingredient
found in skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney damage, reduction in
the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression
or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy.
The global health watchdog pointed out that mercury in soaps and creams is
eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury, then, enters environment,
where it becomes methylated, and enters the food chain as highly toxic
methylmercury in fish. Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury
transfer the mercury to their fetuses that can later result in neurological
deficits in children.
WHO said skin lightening soaps and creams are commonly used in certain African
and Asian nations and dark-skinned populations in Europe and North America.
Mercury salts inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in a lighter skin
tone. Recommended By Colombia"Some manufacturers are no longer using mercury as a preservative in
mascara and eye makeup cleansing products as a result of consumer pressure.
However, most jurisdictions still allow the sale of makeup products containing
mercury compounds. The soaps contain approximately 1%-3% mercury iodide, and
the creams are composed of 1%-10% mercury ammonium," WHO said. It is imperative to check for mercury content on the packaging of the soaps,
creams or other cosmetics before getting hooked to them. WHO added, "The amount or concentration of mercury in a product may be
labelled on the packaging or in the ingredient list. Names to look for include
mercury, Hg, mercuric iodide, mercurous chloride, ammoniated mercury, amide
chloride of mercury, quicksilver, cinnabaris, hydrargyri oxydum rubrum (mercury
oxide), mercury iodide. Directions to avoid contact with silver, gold, rubber,
aluminum and jewellery may also indicate the presence of mercury. However,
companies selling products that contain mercury, do not always list it as an
ingredient." The United States Food and Drug Administration allows mercury compounds in eye
area cosmetics at concentrations at or below 65 mg/kg expressed as mercury
(approximately 100 mg/kg expressed as phenylmercuric acetate or nitrate). All
other cosmetics must contain mercury at a concentration less than 1 mg/kg. "India too is bringing in laws to regulate the cosmetic industry. We will
regulate mercury use in soaps, creams and cosmetics," a health ministry
official WHO said the serious adverse effects of inorganic
mercury, which is a common ingredient found in skin lightening soaps and
creams, includes kidney damage, reduction in the skin's resistance to bacterial
and fungal infections, anxiety, depression or psychosis and also peripheral
neuropathy. WHO said the serious adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is
a common ingredient found in skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney
damage, reduction in the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections,
anxiety, depression or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy.WHO
said the serious adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is a common
ingredient found in skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney damage,
reduction in the skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety,
depression or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy. WHO said the serious
adverse effects of inorganic mercury, which is a common ingredient found in
skin lightening soaps and creams, includes kidney damage, reduction in the
skin's resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression or
psychosis and also peripheral neuropat
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