FDA Warns of Skin Lotions and Soaps Tainted With Mercury

According to a recent warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a number of skin lotions and antiseptic soaps which make claims that they can clean and lighten skin, as well as have the ability to remove freckles and wrinkles, may actually be illegally imported cosmetic products containing high levels of mercury.

The recent consumer warning was issued following reports across at least seven states where dozens of people have been diagnosed with mercury poisoning. According to the warning, the victims of the mercury poisoning include a woman in California who was hospitalized after using an unlabeled skin lotion for three years. Additionally, other members of the woman’s family, who did not use the lotion, also had high levels of mercury in their bodies.

“Exposure to mercury can damage your kidneys and nervous system. It also interferes with brain development in unborn babies and very young children,” said Gloria Sánchez-Contreras, a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration.

While the FDA has already identified dozens of products that contain high levels of mercury, and has taken steps to deny shipments of these products into the U.S., many of these lotions and soaps are brought into the country by mail or by international travelers.

According to the FDA, the people who buy the lotions and soaps are not the only ones at risk to the mercury poisoning. The agency warns that small children can also be exposed to mercury by breathing in the vapors of a skin lotion or by touching someone who has used the cream and then putting their fingers in their mouth.

“That’s why it’s so important for consumers and sellers to know about the dangers of possible mercury poisoning associated with the use of or exposure to these skin products,” said Sánchez-Contreras.

To avoid the possible contamination linked to these tainted products, the FDA suggests that consumers avoid products which:

•Do not clearly list ingredients on the label.
•Include the words “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” “mercuric,” “mercurio,” or “mercury” in their labels.
•Have labels written in other languages unless they also include a clear description in English.

Warning signs of mercury poisoning include irritability, changes in vision and hearing, memory loss, depression and numbness in the hands, feet or mouth. If you believe that you may have been exposed to mercury, the FDA suggests the following actions:

•Wash your hands thoroughly as well as any other part of the body that might have come into contact with the product.
•Contact your doctor or health clinic.
•Additional questions can be answered by callling the National Capital Poison Center at 1 (800) 222-1222, or online at the FDA.gov website.