A possibly-fatal kidney problem or other organ damage may result from using certain imported skin lightening products, according to a recent story published in the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

The Tribune investigated 50 skin bleaching products and discovered that some contained what the newspaper called “toxic” mercury levels. The results were published in a recent edition.

The products are designed to be used for lightening freckles and age spots.

Mercury can be dangerous because it can cause damage to several organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys. Kidney problems, possibly including renal failure, are among the possibilities.

In the event of kidney failure, treatment possibilities become limited. There are only two ways to save your life: these include kidney transplant operation or kidney dialysis.

High levels of mercury can enter the body after being spread on the skin. The degree of danger varies depending on an individual’s body weight and a number of other factors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers anything above one gram of mercury per kilogram (2.2 pounds) to be excessive. Doses above the maximum limit can trigger life-threatening disorders. Minute doses can accumulate over the course of months or even years, creating long term ill-effects.

Mercury can trigger vision problems, blurry vision and trouble walking. It can cause major problems with organs, and in extreme cases, be fatal. Mercury can be especially dangerous for the unborn babies of pregnant women, infants and small children.

Mercury has not been legal for use in skin lightening products since 1990 when it was banned by the FDA. The Tribune’s investigation discovered that products are easy to find nonetheless. The FDA told the Tribune that it has less than 500 inspectors who can check imported products, making it possible for some products to slip through the regulatory cracks .

About 50 skin lightening lotions were sent to to an independent laboratory for testing. Half a dozen were found to contain levels of mercury that exceeded legal limits in the United States. Five out of six had levels of 6,000 parts per million of mercury, which is sufficient to cause kidney damage .

The products came to the U.S. from Lebanon, China, India, Pakistan and Taiwan

One Chicago dermatologist, Dr. Jonith Breadon, said he was “shocked and speechless” that products with so much mercury in them are easy to get.

Sales outlets which had the products on their shelves and promised to remove them. Two companies who were distributing the products say they will discontinue them.

Freckles and age spot lighteners have become big sellers in the United States in the past few years. Sales have been high among certain ethnic groups. Sales are expected to exceed 75 million annually by 2015.

Among the other creams and lotions tested by the Tribune, the greatest amounts of mercury were found in a product called Stillman’s Skin Bleach Cream. Other products identified by the Tribune wereTop-Gel MCA Extra Pearl Cream, Creme Diana CTR, Ling Ji Su, Lulanjina, and Shabright Clear and Bright Skin Formula.

Many common skin lightening products tested by the Tribune did not contain mercury at all.

Read more about these kidney problems and others by visiting http://www.kidney-problem.org.

A number of doctors who spoke to Tribune investigators said that anyone who wants a safe skin lightening cream can get one by prescription. They also pointed out that such creams be used only for lightening freckles and age spots, not to bleach normally dark skin.

Lern more about other kidney problems and related topics by visiting http://www.kidney-problem.org.