[Borek]

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6102a3.htm?s_cid=mm6102a3_e

Mercury exposure has been reported among users of skin-lightening creams produced outside the United States

In this report, unlabeled skin-lightening creams produced in Mexico were the source of mercury exposure for users and nonusers living in the same households

Inorganic mercury (often mercurous chloride) is used in some skin-lightening creams produced outside the United States because it inhibits melanin formation when absorbed by the skin

[Silppuri]

Good link. Now when I read that, I vaguely remember seeing a TV document on these mercury ointments some 10 years ago - if I recall correctly there were lots of African women who had been using these kind of products. Too bad that while the producer may know that these kind of creams are potentially lethal and extremely harmful to health in even the smallest doses, money speaks.

P.S. Luckily there's no need for me to use skin-lightening creams, otherwise next I'd probably lose my eyes and went to live in a cave.

[Enthalpy]

Read about one year ago that TiO₂ nanoparticles are now suspected by at least one research team of being carcinogens. Watch that one, as they're in Sun screens, toothpaste, skin creams and more.

Which would explain why melanomas progress while we use more Sun screen.

Different effects and logic than mercury, but the consequences would spread widely.