Resources f​or Health Care Providers

The Healthy Homes and Communities program has tested skincare products in communities and multiple contained the harmful chemical, mercury. Visit the Skincare Products Containing Mercury web page to learn more about which products to avoid.

Our program partners with local health departments and community-based organizations to collect potentially toxic skincare products sold by individuals, in small markets or swap meets, or on the internet. Community health workers, “promotores de salud,” and others who educate community members are trained on the dangers of mercury in skincare products by our program. We also provide technical assistance to local health departments on poisoning cases.

Alerts

• Severe Methyl Mercury Poisoning Linked to Adulterated Mexican Face Cream (PDF)
• Mercury Poisoning Linked to Use of Skin-Lightening or Acne Creams from Mexico (PDF) ​​
  

Publicatio​n

• Methylmercury Toxicity from a Skin Lightening Cream Obtained from Mexico — California, 2019, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 2019​​​