THE Government Analyst Food and Drug Department has warned that consumers should not purchase or use skin creams or beauty and antiseptic soaps or lotions that might contain mercury. According to a release from the Department, those products can have serious health consequences, since mercury is a chemical that is readily absorbed through the skin and causes serious damage to the kidney and the nervous system. Mercury can also be a threat to unborn and young children, resulting in damage to the brain.
The release said, “People particularly get mercury into their bodies if a member of the household uses skin cream or soap containing mercury.” It explained that when this product gets onto the hands by touching, another member of the family might put their hands on one of the areas that have been polluted and unconsciously place their hand on food or in their mouth.
These products are currently being marketed as skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments that remove spots, freckles, blemishes and wrinkles.
Some of the products which were tested and found to contain mercury include Lemon Cream, Herbal Whitening, Lulanjina (cream), Crème Diana Qian Mei (cream), Milk Cream, Savon Pour  L’acne, Diana soap and Cream Aghadar.
These products have been tested by the Minnesota Department of Health and were found to exceed the acceptable limit of one part per million (PPM).
Consumers are being asked to check the labels when purchasing cosmetics, which must be labelled in English. If the words “Mercurous Chloride”, “Calomel” and “Mercuric or Mercury”, are ingredients in these products, it should not be purchased.
Persons who already have in their possession any of these products are asked to stop using them immediately. For any inquires, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department can be contacted on telephone numbers 222-8857, 222-8859 and 222-8860.