Press Release

Public reminded to watch out for unsafe cosmetic cream

8 Jun 2007

The Department of Health (DH) today (June 8) called on members of the public who have bought a brand of cosmetic cream called “ 嬌麗回春素 (祛斑2號)” to stop using it and contact the DH hotline 2125 1133 for health advice.

The hotline will be operated from 9am to 5pm starting from tomorrow onwards.

The appeal followed a report of mercury poisoning involving a 39-year-old woman who was found to have high level of mercury in her blood after she was admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital for swelling of both feet. She was admitted on May 26 and discharged on June 1.

The woman claimed that she had used the product daily for two months. She said the product was obtained from a retail shop in Central.

Chemical analysis by the Toxicology Reference Laboratory of the Hospital Authority revealed that the mercury content of the product exceeded the maximum permitted concentration of mercury for cosmetics.

A DH spokesman said mercury poisoning is an illness that is caused by overdose of mercury in the body. Mercury causes damage mainly to the nervous systems and kidney. Symptoms may include tremor, irritability, insomnia, memory deterioration, difficulty with concentrating, impaired hearing and vision or change in taste. In most severe cases, renal failure may occur.

“Members of the public who have been using the cosmetic cream concerned should stop using it immediately and seek advice from their doctors as soon as possible,” he added.

DH has referred the case to the Customs and Excise Department for follow-up actions.