Could Your Lotions & Antiseptic Soaps be Contaminated with Mercury?

EMSL Analytical provides consumer product testing services to help test for mercury and other toxic materials.

Cinnaminson, NJ, March 14th, 2012

Earlier this month, CNN published a report about skin creams, beauty and antiseptic soaps and lotions that may be contaminated with mercury. The report cited a U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning of mercury poisoning being linked to skin products.

Federal health officials are warning consumers not to use these consumer products that might contain mercury. The products are marketed as skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments that remove age spots, freckles, blemishes and wrinkles. Adolescents also may use these products for acne treatments. So far, products with this mercury have been found in at least seven states.

According to the FDA warning, “The products are manufactured abroad and sold illegally in the United States—often in shops in Latino, Asian, African or Middle Eastern neighborhoods and online. Consumers may also have bought them in another country and brought them back to the U.S. for personal use.”
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil. It exists in several forms: elemental or metallic mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds.

“Mercury exposure can cause harm to the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system of people,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, a leading environmental and consumer product testing laboratory. “Even people not directly using these mercury tainted products can be exposed by breathing in mercury vapors. Children could also be exposed by touching the skin of others who have used the products or by handling the products directly. EMSL can help identify which products may contain this, or other, heavy metals that could cause damage to people’s health.”

To learn more about testing for mercury or consumer product testing services, please visit www.ConsumerProductTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The laboratory is FDA registered, ISO 17025 and GMP compliant.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail