Houmine S, El Hamri H, Jouhadi Z, Bouchahta H, Fekhaoui M
Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, Scientific Institute, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
Department of Toxicology and Hydrology, National Institute of Hygiene, Rabat, Morocco.
Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2025 Sep;44(3):281-289. doi: 10.1080/15569527.2025.2511717. Epub 2025 Jun 4.
The objective of this study, the first study of its kind conducted in Morocco, was to evaluate mercury concentrations in skin whitening products using the MA-3000 direct mercury analyser.
Mercury is widely recognised as one of the most dangerous elements to human health. Despite the well-known risks, skin whitening creams and soaps containing this toxic substance continue to be produced and purchased, especially in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This practice constitutes a global public health issue due to the widespread distribution of these products. In Morocco, these items are commonly found in beauty stores and boutiques, which are frequently used for their skin-lightening effects.
Twenty-nine samples of skin whitening products were collected from the local market in Rabat. The mercury content in these products was measured using the MA-3000 direct mercury analyser, in accordance with USEPA Method 7473. The method has a Limit of Detection (LOD) of 0.002 µg/g and a Limit of Quantification (LOQ) of 0.008 µg/g, ensuring the reliability and validity of the results. Moreover, the method demonstrated a recovery rate of 105%, further confirming its accuracy and precision. The mercury concentration was measured in micrograms per gram (µg/g). This unit is equivalent to parts per million (ppm), a unit commonly used to express very low concentrations.
The analysis revealed that 25 out of 29 samples contained mercury concentrations ranging from 1.01 µg/g to 10.47 µg/g, exceeding the 1 µg/g limit established by the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Conversely, 4 samples showed no detectable traces of mercury.
This study reveals the concerning presence of mercury in skin-lightening products available on the Moroccan market. The continued circulation and frequent use of mercury-containing creams and soaps, both in Morocco and in other developing countries, underscore the pressing need for strengthened regulatory frameworks and stricter control of hazardous substances in cosmetic products. These findings raise significant public health concerns, particularly for vulnerable populations who may be unknowingly exposed to toxic levels of mercury through daily use of skin-lightening products.
本研究是在摩洛哥进行的同类首次研究，其目的是使用MA - 3000直接测汞仪评估美白产品中的汞浓度。
汞被广泛认为是对人类健康最危险的元素之一。尽管存在众所周知的风险，但含有这种有毒物质的美白面霜和肥皂仍在生产和销售，尤其是在中东、亚洲和非洲。由于这些产品的广泛传播，这种做法构成了一个全球公共卫生问题。在摩洛哥，这些产品在美容店和精品店很常见，人们经常因其美白效果而使用。
从拉巴特当地市场收集了29份美白产品样本。按照美国环境保护局（USEPA）方法7473，使用MA - 3000直接测汞仪测量这些产品中的汞含量。该方法的检测限（LOD）为0.002μg/g，定量限（LOQ）为0.008μg/g，确保了结果的可靠性和有效性。此外，该方法的回收率为105%，进一步证实了其准确性和精密度。汞浓度以微克每克（μg/g）为单位进行测量。该单位等同于百万分之一（ppm），这是一个常用于表示极低浓度的单位。
分析显示，29个样本中有25个汞浓度在1.01μg/g至10.47μg/g之间，超过了《汞的水俣公约》规定的1μg/g限值。相反，4个样本未检测到汞痕迹。
本研究揭示了摩洛哥市场上美白产品中存在令人担忧的汞含量。在摩洛哥和其他发展中国家，含汞面霜和肥皂的持续流通和频繁使用凸显了加强监管框架以及更严格控制化妆品中有害物质的迫切需求。这些发现引发了重大的公共卫生问题，特别是对于那些可能通过日常使用美白产品在不知不觉中接触到有毒汞含量的弱势群体。
