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The Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulatory body for the health care sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, warned the public against the use of skin whitening products which contain mercury, because mercury may lead to the gradual poisoning.
Mercury is a chemical element, the only metal that exists in liquid form at normal temperatures, and is used in thermometers and lights. The use of Mercury in cosmetics was banned after it was discovered that the body absorbs mercury through the skin and remains present in the blood, urine, saliva and in milk even after death in fossil bones like the skull.
Dr. Mohammed Abu Elkhair, Section Head, Drug & Medical Products Regulation at HAAD at HAAD said: “Lots of people use skin whitening cosmetic products to get rid of spots or freckles, especially women. Such products are available in the local market and many of these come from China and Thailand. Most of these products don’t have ingredients mentioned on their labels or their labels are written in a foreign language not understood by local consumers.”
“In the last few years, many skin whitening products were analysed by several health authorities, most of these products contained mercury at a higher rate than the accepted international standard (1 part of a million parts) and were banned,” Dr. Abu Elkhair added.
In 1970s, derivatives of mercury was a major component in skin-whitening creams and soaps, however in 1976, after the discovery of the dangerous effects of mercury, the use of such products was banned in Europe and years later in the United States and is also banned in the United Arab Emirates.
The mercury toxic substances can enter the body through skin or can be inhaled or swallowed and accumulates in the body, which may gradually lead to poisoning. This is not only harmful to the person using these products but also to others in close contact like children and could lead to the destruction of the nervous system and have a delay in mental development.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include: frenzy, sore mouth and gums, feeling tired, fatigue, memory loss, as it leads to problems in the kidneys and the nervous system.
HAAD advises the public to read the posters or information on any whitening, or anti-aging product packaging thoroughly , stop the use of any whitening product that may contain the word “mercurouschloride”, calomel, mercuric, mercurio or mercury. Avoid using any product that has no proper labeling or if the label is written in official language, stop using any product in the event of doubt it contains mercury immediately.
HAAD has also released a list of banned products which contained mercury for public awareness. (Pictures and product names)
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