Minnesota is the first U.S. state to prohibit the deliberate inclusion of mercury in beauty cosmetics such as mascara, eye liners and beauty balms, according to The Associated Press.
Violators will be meted a penalty of between $700 and $10,000.
Notably, Minnesota's rules are now more stringent than federal law, which allows eye products to contain up to 65 parts per million of mercury.
Sen. John Marty, the Democrat from Roseville who sponsored the law calling for the ban, said mercury causes retardation in children and fetuses and neurological symptoms in adults even in tiny quantities.
"Every source of mercury adds to it. We wanted to make sure it wasn't here," said Marty.
Under the legislation, retailers could be slapped with fines of up to $700 for selling cosmetics in Minnesota knowing they contain mercury. Manufacturers, meanwhile, who do not disclose mercury on product labels could be made to pay up to $10,000.
Mercury accumulates in the body, so consumers are advised to avoid exposure altogether.
John Bailey, chief scientist with the Personal Care Products Council in Washington, said most makeup companies have already stopped using mercury in their products. However, the ingredient is used in small amounts in some eye cosmetics to prolong its life and to kill germs.
"It's added at very low levels, and for good reason," said Bailey.
The anti-mercury law also calls for the ban of other products that uses the metal, including medical devices, thermostats, barometers and industrial switches. Toiletries, fragrances and over-the-counter drugs such as eye drops, nasal sprays, hemorrhoid treatments and antiseptics are also part of the widespread prohibition.
Other potential everyday sources of mercury include dental filling, certain species of fish, lubricated condoms, paints and many vaccines.
State pollution regulators have yet to actually determine the number of mercury-laced products in Minnesota.
