CONFIDENTIAL 2 LG/APR 2019/ELC550

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY (30 MARKS)

Read the following article.

I The California Department of Public Health has released a public health alert
recently after multiple cases of inorganic mercury poisoning were linked to skin
creams purchased in Mexico. According to the health alert, several women and
children, including a 20-month-old baby, were exposed to mercury contained in
creams formulated to lighten the skin, fade freckles and age spots, and even treat
acne.

II What makes mercury poisoning from beauty products so scary? Many of the
symptoms are non-specific and difficult to identify. They can include irritability,
depression, lack of concentration, insomnia, numbness and tingling, as well as
tremors (Peters & Elis, 2014). In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
reported that exposure to this metal could have serious health consequences,
including damage to the kidneys and nervous system, and it can impact the brain
development of young children. A recent study by Cornwall and Blithe (2016) reveal
that when beauty products containing mercury are used over time, mercury vapour
is slowly released into the air. They add that this airborne vapour can contaminate
the entire households even if they have never used the products themselves.

III Both the FDA and the California Department of Public Health strongly advise
against purchasing non-commercial skin creams in unlabelled containers that do not
list ingredients. Federal law in the United States requires that ingredients be listed
on the label of any cosmetic product or drug. The limit on mercury in products is one
part per million. According to Dr Gordon Vrdoljak (2016) of the California
Department of Public Health, levels as high as 210,000 parts per million of mercury
have been found in some creams.

I Although mercury as an active ingredient lightens skin tone and reduces dark spots,
V it comes with a host of associated side effects. Research conducted at the
University of California in 2012 showed that a top fairness brand affected the
kidneys, liver, and brain of female mice (Weldon, 2013). Other reports on mercury
poisoning reveal that the metal can cause lower cognitive functioning in users, as
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well as kidney damage, headaches, fatigue, hand tremors, depression, and other
symptoms (Jomova, 2011; Graeme & Pollack, 2014). The United States
government recognises this and hence, has set a threshold value for the amount of
mercury used in products or has banned it altogether.

V However, these creams still find their way into American homes, brought in by
people travelling from other countries, where there is a huge market for fairness
creams. Typically, when users of these creams start experiencing symptoms of
mercury poisoning, like trembling hands and headaches, they visit their doctors
and are recommended urine tests. The urine analysis identifies high levels of
mercury present in the body. In the past, in such cases, Vrdoljak and his team are
contacted and they would do a thorough analysis of all the products in the patient’s
home to root out the products that contained mercury. Their work led to the
banning of two products last year. However today, very often, the products cannot
be identified, as the creams come in unmarked containers. Thus, efforts to control
the widespread use of such creams seem futile.

Adapted from Does Your Skin Cream Have Mercury In It?

BY SANDRA ROLDAN May 20, 2017
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/mercury-poisoning

Based on the given article, write an annotated bibliography of about 300 words on the
health problems caused by using beauty products that contain mercury. You are
advised to paraphrase and summarise the information critically.

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Your annotation should include the following:

• a reference

• a minimum of four (4) in-text citations

• an introduction

• five (5) major points with relevant supporting details

• a critical response to the author’s argument

• appropriate use of language

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END OF QUESTION PAPER

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