Levels of Mercury in Urine Correlated with the Use of Skin Lightening Creams

The pattern of use of mercury-containing skin lightening creams in a group of young healthy African women was strikingly reflected by the excretion of mercury in urine. Although the levels of mercury in urine frequently associated with manifestations of systemic toxicity were not observed, the mean concentration of mercury in urine, at random sampling, was significantly more than the acceptable upper limit of normal in the group of subjects using mercury-containing skin lightening creams at the time of study. When use of these preparations was discontinued, progressive reduction in mercury concentration in urine Was manifest. Continued use, however, resulted in a variable pattern of subsequent excretion of mercury in urine for which a probable explanation is presented. No definite evidence o of renal damage was obtained, and in particular there were no stigmata of the nephrotic syndrome. The previously published data concerning the association of the nephrotic syndrome with exposure to mercury is reviewed. It is felt that in this respect the subjects of this study constitute a vulnerable population.