May 04, 2012

The Department of Health today urged consumers not to buy or use a cosmetic cream from Indonesia called Dokter Pemutih Special as it may contain excessive mercury.
 
A 29-year-old woman went to United Christian Hospital on March 17 with swollen lower limbs.
 
Laboratory tests found the level of mercury in the cream she used was more than 12,000 times over the limit. She was discharged from hospital on March 19.
 
Chronic exposure to mercury can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys.