MERCURY CONTENT IN SKIN-LIGHTENING CREAMS AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS TO THE HEALTH OF SAUDI WOMEN

It seems evident from a wealth of scientific research that mercury is toxic. Because of the nature of the Saudi markets, different brands of skin-lightening creams are widely available. In this study, 38 skin-l ightening cream samples were collected and analyzed for mercury by ind uctively coupled plasma spectrometry after an acid digestion procedure . About 45% of the tested skin-lightening cream samples contained merc ury at levels well above the FDA's acceptable limit of 1 ppm. These fi ndings are alarming and have wide legal and educational implications f or Saudi Arabia in particular and developing countries in general. Fur ther investigation for possible adverse health effects is also needed.