Recently, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a fact sheet informing retailers across the state about the health risks of selling skin-lightening products that contain mercury. The informational sheet came in response to legislation I sponsored in the 95th General Assembly prohibiting the sale or distribution of cosmetics, toiletries, or fragrances containing mercury.

Below is a recent press release distributed by the EPA regarding the dangers of skin-lightening products that contain mercury and a link to the organization’s fact sheet. I encourage every retailer to read the information and please help stop the distribution of these hazardous products.

December 28, 2010

State environmental agency warns retailers about selling skin-lightening products that may contain mercury

SPRINGFIELD—The discovery of the toxic metal mercury in several skin lightening creams sold in the Chicago area has prompted state environmental officials to warn area retailers not to sell skin products if the product is not labeled, or to take special precautions when dealing with imported cosmetics that use unfamiliar names for mercury.

Recent investigations by public health officials in California, Virginia and New York City have found high levels of mercury in skin lightening creams imported into the United States from China, Dominican Republic, India, Mexico and several other countries. Mercury or mercury salts is sometimes used as an active ingredient in skin-lightening products to lighten the complexion, or to remove spots and freckles.

"Because mercury is toxic, skin-lightening creams, soaps and other cosmetics that have mercury in them are prohibited for sale or distribution in Illinois under a state law that went into effect last year," said state EPA Director Doug Scott.

Using mercury-containing skin products may result in rashes, irritation and other changes to the skin. Mercury may also be absorbed through the skin from prolonged exposure, posing a health risk to the nervous system and kidneys.

The Illinois EPA recently distributed fact sheets to local chambers of commerce in Chicago to help inform retail store owners about the state sales ban. The fact sheet also provides information on the dangers of mercury, how to identify skin creams containing mercury and what to do if these products are found in stores. The Illinois EPA recommends that retailers review the list of ingredients on skin-lightening products to determine if the product may contain mercury.

Retailers should not sell skin-lightening products if there is no label on the container, or if there are no ingredients printed on the product’s box or container. The state also recommends that retailers not sell or distribute any cream or cosmetic that lists any of the following ingredients on the label: "mercury," "mercurio," "calomel," or mercury compounds such as "mercurous chloride,"

If any skin-lightening product is suspected of containing mercury, the retailer should arrange to ship the product back to the manufacturer, or dispose of the product as hazardous waste. The product should not be disposed in the trash with other solid waste.

For more information about mercury-containing skin-lightening products, visit the Illinois EPA web site at http://www.epa.state.il.us/mercury/mercury-cosmetics.pdf.

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