An alarming report from The Chicago Tribune: Some creams promising to lighten skin contain high levels of mercury, a toxic metal that can cause severe health problems.
The Tribune sent 50 jars of cream purchased at stores across Chicago or online to a lab for testing. Six were found to contain amounts of mercury banned by federal law. Of those, five had more than 6,000 parts per million — enough to potentially cause kidney damage over time, according to a medical expert.
The six that tested high were manufactured in Lebanon, China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan. Here’s a graphic showing the specific products containing the toxic metal.
East Asians and Asian Americans have long slathered on facial whitening products as dark skin is considered unrefined in many cultures. Women of all ethnicities use the products to lighten age spots and freckles.
uring its investigation, t
The six creams that tested high in the Tribune tests were manufactured in Lebanon, China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan.
