Mercury-based beauty products pose risks to human health : WHO

World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that certain skin lightening soaps, creams and cosmetics such as eye makeup, cleansing products and mascara could contain mercury, posing high risks to human health.

The issued warning stated that 61% of the Indian dermatological market that offers skin lightening products contain inorganic mercury, reports timesofindia.com.

Inorganic mercury is said to lead to kidney damage, reduction in skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression or psychosis and also peripheral neuropathy.

When drained mercury from used soaps and creams is discharged into waste water, it enters the environment, becoming methylated, thereby entering the food chain as highly toxic methylmercury in fish.

Pregnant women who tend to consume fish that contains methylmercury end up transferring mercury to their foetuses that later can result in neurological deficits in children, the report stated.

WHO said that these skin lightening products, which are commonly used in certain African and Asian nations and dark-skinned populations in Europe and North America, contain mercury salts that help in melanin formation, resulting in lighter skin tones.

Some manufacturers, however, are said to be not using mercury as a preservative in cosmetic manufacturing, but certain jurisdictions do allow the sale of makeup products that contain mercury compounds.

WHO said that the amount or concentration of mercury in a particular product may be labelled on the packaging or ingredients list to help consumers cross check products prior to purchasing.

The report added that directions to avoid contact with silver, gold, rubber, aluminum and jewellery may also indicate the presence of mercury.

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mercury compounds in eye area cosmetics should be at or below 65mg/kg expressed as mercury, while other cosmetics must not contain above 1mg/kg.