TX: Warns of Mercury Poisoning Linked to Mexican Beauty Cream

[Missouriwatcher]

DSHS Warns of Mercury Poisoning Linked to Mexican Beauty Cream
News Release
September 1, 2011

The Texas Department of State Health Services is warning the public that a number of mercury poisoning cases in South Texas appear to be linked to the use of Crema Aguamary, a cosmetic produced in Mexico and not approved for use in the United States.

Healthcare providers in South Texas have reported at least 18 patients who tested positive for elevated levels of mercury in their blood. Additionally, DSHS has tested 16 samples of Crema Aguamary products obtained from individuals in Texas. All had elevated levels of mercury, some hundreds of thousands of times higher than permitted in the United States...

Products with the highest level of mercury contamination appear noticeably gray in color. Others are lighter gray or cream colored but still may contain dangerous levels of mercury. It is unclear at this point whether the contamination is happening where the product is produced or at some other point before it gets to consumers.

DSHS does not have evidence that contaminated products are being sold commercially in Texas. It appears that individuals are purchasing the products in Mexico and bringing them across the border. Crema Aguamary products may also be available for purchase online...

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/20110901.shtm

[Laidback Al]

Re: TX: Warns of Mercury Poisoning Linked to Mexican Beauty Cream

Mexican beauty cream linked to 6 El Paso mercury poisoning cases

By Adriana M. Ch?vez / El Paso Times
Posted: 09/26/2011 11:55:29 PM MDT

A Mexican beauty cream that promises to rid users of wrinkles and skin discoloration may actually be deadly, local health officials warned Monday.
Officials issued the warning on the heels of six mercury poisoning cases reported in El Paso by people using Crema Antiedad y Desmanchadora, an anti-aging cream nearly identical to another cream, Crema Aguamary, which may be responsible for 44 cases of mercury poisoning in Texas and is not approved for use in the United States.
Officials with the El Paso Department of Public Health said the Food and Drug Administration limits mercury content in such products to one part per million, but the creams imported from Mexico have been shown to have up to 130,000 parts per million. . . .

One woman, who declined to be identified, said she paid $100 for a three-month supply of Crema Aguamary. She said she will have to throw away about $50 worth of the product, which she has been using for almost two months to treat her melasma, or dark skin discoloration.
"I have to say that it does work, but I'd rather have the melasma than poison my system," the woman said.
. . .
Those who have used the cream are also asked to discontinue use immediately and be tested for blood and/or urine mercury. Information on treatment recommendations may be obtained by calling the Texas Poison Control Network at 800-222-1222.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_18979428

[Emily]

Re: TX: Warns of Mercury Poisoning Linked to Mexican Beauty Cream

I was assuming that the mercury was a contaminant until I read the last post. Apparently it is added deliberately as a bleaching agent. Here is a warning the from New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene about similar products from 2005:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr/pr008-05.shtml

NYC HEALTH DEPT. WARNS AGAINST USE OF "SKIN-LIGHTENING" CREAMS CONTAINING MERCURY OR SIMILAR PRODUCTS WHICH DO NOT LIST INGREDIENTS

Almost a Dozen Products Made in the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong and China Do Not Conform to FDA Regulations; Sale of These Products Illegal Under City Law

[snip]
Direct and prolonged exposure to mercury can cause damage to the brain, nervous system and kidneys. Using products containing mercury can also result in skin rashes, irritation, and other changes to the skin. Mercury is also extremely toxic to unborn children, and while pregnant women who use these creams may not experience symptoms of mercury poisoning, the fetuses could become severely poisoned, resulting in brain damage and other malformations....