{"id":655,"date":"2026-05-04T21:35:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T01:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/?p=655"},"modified":"2026-05-05T13:23:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T17:23:01","slug":"mercury-in-skin-lightening-products","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/2026\/05\/04\/mercury-in-skin-lightening-products\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercury in Skin Lightening Products"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94bc23d7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Time to Read:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-elements-9b35562cf5a53c5db3f0d3ecdaf3961e wp-block-post-time-to-read has-text-color has-accent-color has-normal-font-size\">6\u20139 minutes<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The following report is my second topics in toxicology \u2013 news article validation assignment I completed for a 4th year university nutrition class (NUTR*4510 \u2013 Toxicology, Nutrition, and Functional Foods).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This report focuses on comparing the claims made in a news article and finding relevant scientific papers to assess if the news article accurately represented scientific claims for the public to read and understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This report was originally written in November 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources used:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>News article I reviewed: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/14-02-2023-countries-unite-to-remove-mercury-from-hazardous-skin-lightening-products\">WHO: Countries unite to remove mercury from hazardous skin lightening products<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Research papers I used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-9284\/7\/3\/58\">Mercury Exposure and Health Problems of the Students Using Skin-Lightening Cosmetic Products in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/36367779\/\">A Systematic Review of Mercury Exposures from Skin-Lightening Products<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/341140980_Mercury_Exposure_Associated_with_Use_of_Skin_Lightening_Products_in_Jamaica\">Mercury Exposure Associated with Use of Skin Lightening Products in Jamaica<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary of the Topic in the News Article:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The news article written by the World Health Organization (WHO) primarily discussed the initiatives that countries-Gabon, Jamaica and Sri Lanka- are doing to reduce the negative environmental and health effects of skin lightening products, eliminate mercury from products and promote the beauty of all skin tones. The article discussed the alarming presence of xenobiotics, primarily mercury, in skin lightening products. Adverse effects involved with using skin lightening products include skin rashes, discolouration and scarring; nervous, digestive and immune system damage, anxiety and depression. They also mentioned that children can be exposed to mercury through breastmilk, and food chains can become contaminated through the wastewater. Mercury can accumulate in the Earth, water and soil without breaking down, which negatively affects the environment. Mercury exposure can happen to anyone using skin lightening products. Exposure to the xenobiotic (mercury) through skin lightening products is primarily through the topical route as such products are applied on the skin. Breastfed children can get mercury in breastmilk via the oral\/gastrointestinal tract. The WHO added that the Minamata Convention on Mercury set a limit of 1mg\/1kg (1ppm) for mercury in skin lightening products. That being said, they mentioned that a test, conducted in 2018, of over 300 products from 22 countries found that around 10% of skin lightening creams exceeded this limit, with many containing as much as 100 times the limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scientific papers I chose had similarities in how mercury works, the adverse health effects of mercury, and the population of consumers who should be more concerned about mercury. Ricketts et al. (2020) discussed that inorganic mercury is added to skin lightening products to inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in lighter skin. Abbas et al. (2020) mentioned that inorganic Hg is absorbed through transepidermal and transappendageal routes, including through sebaceous glands, sweat glands and hair follicles leading to mercury accumulation in the scalp hair. Inorganic mercury can cause damage to the skin, kidneys, and nervous system (Ricketts et al., 2020). Long term exposure can result in irritability, muscle weakness, memory loss and kidney failure (Ricketts et al., 2020). Pregnant women and women of reproductive age are a population of concern because mercury can transfer to their children or through the placenta and into the fetus where it acts as a teratogen (Abbas et al., 2020), which could result in neurological and nephrological disorders (Bastiansz et al., 2022). Furthermore, mercury is in many skin-lightening products worldwide so much so that some people and populations experience considerably high exposures to mercury using such products (Bastiansz et al., 2022). Skin-lightening products were purchased more and commonly used in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas, and the Western Pacific regions (Bastiansz et al., 2022).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparison of the News Article with the Primary Scientific Research:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a number of main findings from the research papers by Abbas et al. (2020), Bastiansz et al. (2022), and Ricketts et al. (2020). Abbas et al. (2020) focused on researching mercury exposure and health problems of 105 Indonesian female university students using skin lightening products compared to 43 students who don\u2019t use such products. The researchers found that mercury concentrations in the scalp hair of students using products have a mean of 6.7 \u00b5g\/g, and the mean concentration in the control group was significantly lower at 2.3 \u00b5g\/g (Abbas et al., 2020). This statistically significant correlation confirms that there is mercury exposure in the students who used skin-lightening cosmetics (Abbas et al., 2020). This correlation is accurately mirrored in the article written by the WHO, stating that many skin lightening products contain mercury which poses significant risks to human health, implying mercury exposure through these products. Abbas et al. (2020) also found that of the 27 product samples analyzed, 20 had a mean mercury concentration of 554.6 \u00b5g\/g, and 7 had no detectable mercury. Additionally, the Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control set a concentration limit of 1 \u00b5g\/g for mercury in cosmetics (Abbas et al., 2020). Similarly, the review paper by Bastiansz et al. (2022), and the research by Ricketts et al. (2020) also mirror the same limit of 1 \u00b5g\/g or 1ppm. These limits align with the limit of 1mg\/kg, equal to 1 \u00b5g\/g, mentioned in the WHO article. Symptoms caused by mercury were also similar in the research papers and the WHO article. The WHO mentions skin issues, nervous-, digestive- and immune-system damage, and anxiety and depression. Abbas et al. (2020) mention these and more, however with no clear digestive symptoms. Bastiansz et al. (2020) stated that mercury adversely impacts the nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Ricketts et al. (2020) stated that inorganic mercury can cause topical damage to the skin, kidneys, and nervous system. I think a few improvements can be made to the WHO article in terms of the symptoms. The WHO says that \u201cSkin lightening products can cause skin rashes and discolouration; scarring; nervous, digestive and immune system damage, as well as anxiety and depression\u201d. A more accurate way to say this would be \u201cMercury in skin lightening products can cause skin rashes, discolouration, and scarring; nervous system, immune system, and kidney damage, as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression.\u201d I think this is clearer because the reader directly links mercury- instead of all skin lightening products- as the cause of these adverse effects. This prevents readers from misinterpreting risks to all products, as there are products that don\u2019t contain mercury. I also added kidney damage and the broader category of neuropsychiatric symptoms, as there is more than just anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, the WHO accurately stated that products can also impact children who can be exposed through breastmilk, however, they should add to that and say that \u201cSpouses and children in physical proximity to product users can also have elevated mercury exposures\u201d. This is because Bastiansz et al. (2022) observe that mercury levels can be relatively high in immediate family members, or those in close proximity (via breastfeeding or shared sleeping spaces). Interestingly, Bastiansz et al. (2022) also found that from a data review of 787 skin-lightening products, mercury levels ranged from 0 to 314,387\u03bc g\/g, with variances across regions. Similarly, Ricketts et al. (2020) conducted a study with products in Jamaica, and found that 3 out of 60 products had mercury concentrations above 400 ppm and were reportedly used by at least 50% of respondents. All of these papers raise the importance of better regulatory practices and rules to better protect human health and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reflection:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This assignment helped me practice applying my critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills in analyzing a news article for its accuracy in knowledge translation and comparing it to scientific research papers. I enhanced my skills by deeply thinking and picking at discrepancies, and communicating my thoughts through this report. Knowledge translation is crucial for accurate presentation of scientific literature in order to educate others. Effective communication has a big role in influencing policy and public perception, so clear and accurate knowledge translation is of crucial importance. Additionally, the lack of evidence being translated to the public can result in unaware consumers resulting in carelessness. Mass carelessness about toxic compounds in common products results in a lack of pressure among governments, affecting policy and regulations, especially in low income regions. Evaluating sources cited in news articles is important, as uncited or unclear referencing can affect the credibility of the information presented because it becomes more challenging to verify the news. The WHO didn\u2019t add any citations to scientific articles, rather to their own publications and other organizations. Although they\u2019re fairly reputable, it would follow best practices to have direct citations to the science they used. Cross-referencing is highly encouraged as it is important for ensuring accuracy and increasing reputability, especially in the sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Abbas, H. H., Sakakibara, M., Sera, K., Nurgahayu, &amp; Andayanie, E. (2020). Mercury Exposure and Health Problems of the Students Using Skin-Lightening Cosmetic Products in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. <em>Cosmetics, 7<\/em>(3), 58. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/cosmetics7030058\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/cosmetics7030058<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Bastiansz, A., Ewald, J., Salda\u00f1a, V. R., Santa-Rios, A., &amp; Basu, N. (2022). A Systematic Review of Mercury Exposures from Skin-Lightening Products. <em>Environmental Health Perspectives, 130<\/em>(11). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1289\/EHP10808<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Ricketts, P., Knight, C., Gordon, A., Boischio, A., &amp; Voutchkov, M. (2020). Mercury Exposure Associated with Use of Skin Lightening Products in Jamaica.<em> Journal of Health and Pollution, 10<\/em>(26). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5696\/2156-9614-10.26.200601<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>World Health Organization [WHO]. (2023). <em>Countries unite to remove mercury from hazardous skin lightening products<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/14-02-2023-countries-unite-to-remove-mercury-from-hazardous-skin-lightening-products\">https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/14-02-2023-countries-unite-to-remove-mercury-from-hazardous-skin-lightening-products.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Thank you for reading to the end, I hope you found this report enlightening and beneficial!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Time to Read: The following report is my second topics in toxicology \u2013 news article validation assignment I completed for a 4th year university nutrition class (NUTR*4510 \u2013 Toxicology, Nutrition, and Functional Foods). This report focuses on comparing the claims made in a news article and finding relevant scientific papers to assess if the news [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[92,90,91],"class_list":["post-655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-my-school-projects","tag-lightening","tag-mercury","tag-skin"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=655"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":663,"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/655\/revisions\/663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jisri.com\/sarah\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}