Mercury Toxicity and Contamination of Households from the Use of Skin Creams Adulterated with Mercurous Chloride (Calomel)

Abstract

Inorganic mercury, in the form of mercurous chloride, or calomel, is intentionally added to some cosmetic products sold through informal channels in Mexico and the US for skin lightening and acne treatment. These products have led to multiple cases of mercury poisoning but few investigations have addressed the contamination of cream users’ homes. We report on several cases of mercury poisoning among three Mexican-American families in California from use of mercury-containing skin creams. Each case resulted in widespread household contamination and secondary contamination of family members. Urine mercury levels in cream users ranged from 37 to 482 µg/g creatinine and in non-users from non-detectable to 107 µg/g creatinine. Air concentrations of up to 8 µg/m3 of mercury within homes exceeded the USEPA/ATSDR health-based guidance and action level of <1.0 μg/m3. Mercury contamination of cream users’ homes presented a multi-pathway exposure environment to residents. Homes required extensive decontamination, including disposal of most household items, to achieve acceptable air levels. The acceptable air levels used were not designed to consider multi-pathway exposure scenarios. These findings support that the calomel is able to change valence form to elemental mercury and volatilize once exposed to the skin or surfaces in the indoor environment.

Blood mercury levels and fish consumption in pregnancy: Risks and benefits for birth outcomes in a prospective observational birth cohort

“…Mercury is a cumulative neurotoxin that is present in the environment through a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources: mercury-containing aerosols are released from volcanic activity and from the weathering of rocks, while human activities such as mining and manufacturing processes also contribute to levels in the environment ( Hylander and Meili, 2003 , Nriagu and Becker, 2003 ). Additional exposure can occur through elemental mercury vapour from dental amalgams and in some cases from the use of traditional herbal medicines and skin creams ( Copan et al, 2015 , Golding et al, 2013 ). Further exposure to mercury at a population level occurs through diet, particularly from fish that are long-lived and high in the food chain ( Castano et al, 2015 , Golding et al, 2013 ).…”

Mercury, hydroquinone and clobetasol propionate in skin lightening products in West Africa and Canada

“…Its cutaneous absorption is carried out either through the epidermis or through the sweat glands, the sebaceous glands or hair follicles, and significant dermal absorption can occur depending on different factors such as hydration of the stratum corneum and the frequency of application of these products on the skin. Urinary excretion is the major route of elimination (Chan, 2011, Copan et al, 2015, Sin and Tsang, 2003. Inorganic Hg concentrates mainly in the kidney, in particular in the tubular region where lesions have been observed after acute oral intake of Hg 2+ salts (Al-Saleh et al, 2005).…”

“…The central nervous system can also be affected by inorganic Hg under certain conditions. In fact, although penetration of the blood-brain barrier by inorganic mercury is poor, prolonged exposure can result in central nervous system accumulation and neurotoxicity (Copan et al, 2015, Chan, 2011).…”

Study of Heavy Metals in Abnormal Growth and Development using an Alternate Animal Model: Heterometrus fulvipes

“…There are many reported incidences of heavy metals poisoning due to potential contamination, for instance arsenic and lead, leading to lower cognitive scores in children [3][4][5]. Lead and mercury toxicity are linked with the use of nutritional contamination, ayurvedic supplements and skin creams [6][7]. Seafood is one potential source of mercury, and it has been recommended for limiting its use during the pregnancy [8].…”