Soap Containing Mercury Seized

Soap containing toxic mercury was seized in England by Enfield Council's (UK) Trading standards team The soaps were spotted at a shop in while officers were carrying out a London wide sampling project to assess how common the sale of skin lightening creams are.

Exposure to high levels of mercury can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system, and the kidneys.

Symptoms of high exposures to mercury include: skin rashes and dermatitis; mood swings; memory loss; mental disturbances; and muscle weakness. People concerned about their exposure to inorganic mercury should consult their doctor.

Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Envioronment and Community Safety, Cllr Chris Bond said: "It is incredibly irresponsible for traders to sell soap containing Mercury. This type of product can endanger the health of residents and we're currently considering what action to take against the owner of the shop."