title: Mercury toxicity due to use of a cosmetic cream.
abstract: The Arizona Department of Health Services performed an investigation to determine the health effects associated with the use of a mercury-containing beauty cream. A urine test for mercury was offered to cream users who contacted the Arizona Department of Health Services. Those with urine mercury levels > 20 micrograms/L were offered clinical evaluation. Eighty-nine urine specimens were submitted for testing. Of these, 66 showed an elevated urine mercury level (> 20 micrograms/L), and 55 people were evaluated in clinic. There were no major abnormalities found through physical examination or laboratory testing. Urine mercury levels declined from an initial mean of 170 micrograms/L to 32 micrograms/L at the final test (mean, 139 days later). The high urine mercury levels indicate that the use of this cosmetic cream constitutes a significant exposure. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were frequently reported, but few objective signs were noted.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, Tucson, USA. cmcrill@hs.state.az.us
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McRill
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ortega
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000737:chemistry*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D008628:Mercury