The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerts consumers to skin care products that are linked with mercury poisoning. They have released information of potential mercury poisoning that can be found in the skin care products in question. Furthermore, sellers and distributors have already been informed to stop marketing the skin care products here in United States. Failure to comply can lead to legal sanctions and seizure of their products.
According to FDA, the skin care products that are marketed as cosmetics can be found and sold in stores of Latinos, Asians, Africans and Middle Eastern neighborhoods. They are made or manufactured in other countries and are illegally sold here in United States. These skin care products are marketed as skin lighteners or whiteners, they also claim to remove age spots, freckles and wrinkles, to name a few. But, none of these claims have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These skin care products have been around for several years now. Its market expansion has now include not only the little retail stores in some neighborhoods but the worldwide web, too. Due to its popularity, a lot of people have used it, only to get unwanted side effects such as mercury poisoning or elevated mercury levels in their bodies.
There are several incidents reported about mercury poisoning or elevated mercury levels in several states here in United States, such as, Texas, California, Virginia, Maryland and New York. Mercury poisoning should not be taken lightly, as it could pose potential health risks involving your kidneys and nervous systems and children’s mercury vapor exposure can interfere with their brain development as well.
There are seven signs to look for when checking for mercury poisoning:
- irritability
- shyness
- tremors
- changes in vision or hearing
- memory problems
- depression
- numbness and tingling in hands, feet or around mouth
Mercury poisoning and exposure can be from breathing or inhaling contaminated water, eating, swallowing contaminated water or food, or from skin contact. There are three different routes of which mercury can enter our body, through air, food or skin. It is important to know the type of exposure you’ve had to be able to address the problem or concern appropriately. Mercury poisoning can either be short-term or long-term and could potentially affect your brain, kidneys and different parts of our nervous system.
If mercury poisoning is suspected, you should seek a healthcare assistance promptly. Medical tests in blood and urine sample can be obtained to better analyze the level of mercury exposure. It is important to know that the longer you wait to get tested for mercury exposure, the less chances you have of getting an accurate result. Mercury levels in the blood and urine samples can be much lower after several months of exposure.
Additional assistance and information can be obtained from:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-62
Atlanta, GA 30333
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
