Biomaterial Database

[The problem of the use of mercurials cosmetics in Senegal (author's transl)]. 1981

G Gras, and J Mondain

The use of skin-lightening preparations appears to be a problem for the coloured women in Africa as well as for the Black People in general. The mercurial creams occupy a place of choice into the most useful products for the skin depigmentation. An epidemiological study from twenty senegalese women using mercurials cosmetics has permitted to determine a mean value of 155,75 +/- 75,38 ppm Hg in scalp hair while the normal level is less than 10 ppm. An experimental study was realised with monkeys (Papio papio) treated with a soap containing mercuric biiodide. This study has shown, after only three months of experimentation, a significative augmentation of mercury levels in all the organs and specially in the kidneys and the hair.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007454	Iodides	Inorganic binary compounds of iodine or the I- ion.	Iodide
D008297	Male		Males
D008628	Mercury	A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to MERCURY POISONING. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing.
D008630	Mercury Poisoning	Poisoning that results from chronic or acute ingestion, injection, inhalation, or skin absorption of MERCURY or MERCURY COMPOUNDS.	Poisoning, Mercury,Mercury Poisonings,Poisonings, Mercury
D010215	Papio	A genus of the subfamily CERCOPITHECINAE, family CERCOPITHECIDAE, consisting of five named species: PAPIO URSINUS (chacma baboon), PAPIO CYNOCEPHALUS (yellow baboon), PAPIO PAPIO (western baboon), PAPIO ANUBIS (or olive baboon), and PAPIO HAMADRYAS (hamadryas baboon). Members of the Papio genus inhabit open woodland, savannahs, grassland, and rocky hill country. Some authors consider MANDRILLUS a subgenus of Papio.	Baboons,Baboons, Savanna,Savanna Baboons,Baboon,Baboon, Savanna,Papios,Savanna Baboon
D003358	Cosmetics	Substances intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions. Included in this definition are skin creams, lotions, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, permanent waves, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants, as well as any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product. (U.S. Food & Drug Administration Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition Office of Cosmetics Fact Sheet (web page) Feb 1995)	Personal Care Products,Care Product, Personal,Care Products, Personal,Personal Care Product,Product, Personal Care,Products, Personal Care
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012675	Senegal	A republic in western Africa, southwest of MAURITANIA and east of MALI. Its capital is Dakar.	Republic of Senegal