Leaded Lipsticks

I am certain that you are aware of the toxic and
harmful effects of leaded paint. Are you aware
that most lipsticks are also leaded?

Lipsticks tested by a U.S. consumer rights group
found that more than half contained lead and some
popular brands including Cover Girl, L'Oreal and
Christian Dior had more lead than others, the
group said on Thursday.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics said tests on 33
brand-name red lipsticks by the Bodycote Testing
Group in Santa Fe Spring, California, found that
61 percent had detectable lead levels of 0.03 to
0.65 parts per million (ppm).

Lipstick, like candy, is ingested. The Campaign
for Safe Cosmetics, a coalition of public health,
environmental and women's groups, said the FDA has
not set a limit for lead in lipstick.

One-third of the lipsticks tested contained an
amount of lead that exceeded the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration's 0.1 ppm limit for lead in
candy -- a standard established to protect children
from ingesting lead, the group said. Thirty-nine
percent of the lipsticks tested had no discernible
lead, it said.

"It's critical that manufacturers reformulate
their product," said Stacy Malkan, a co-founder
of the coalition. "It's possible to make lipsticks
without lead, and all companies should be doing
that."

Lead can cause learning, language and behavioral
problems such as reduced school performance and
increased aggression. Pregnant women and young
children are particularly vulnerable to lead
exposure, the group said in its statement. Lead
has also been linked to infertility and miscarriage,
it said.

Procter & Gamble Co's makes Cover Girl brand and
France's L'Oreal is one of the largest cosmetic
companies in the world.

Over the last three months, more than 20 million
toys made in China have been recalled, mostly due
to the use of lead paint.

The coalition said that some less expensive brands
it had tested, such as Revlon, had no detectable
levels of lead, while the more expensive Dior Addict
brand had higher levels than some other brands.

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association
trade group said in a statement that lead was a
naturally occurring element that was not
intentionally added to cosmetics.

The FDA has "set strict limits for lead levels
allowed in the colors used in lipsticks, and
actually analyze most of these to ensure they
are followed," the association's statement said.
"The products identified in the (CSC) report
meet these standards."

L'Oreal's U.S. arm said its products are reviewed
and tested by a safety team that includes
toxicologists, pharmacists and doctors.

"All the brands of the L'Oreal Group are in full
compliance with FDA regulations" as well as safety
requirements in international markets, L'Oreal USA
said in a statement.

P&G said in a statement that the quantity of lead
a consumer might be exposed to from its lip product
"is hundreds of times less than the amount that
she would get from eating, breathing and drinking
water."

"Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-
containing lipstick applied several times a day,
every day, can add up to significant exposure
levels. The latest studies show there is no safe
level of lead exposure," said Dr. Mark Mitchell,
president of the Connecticut Coalition for
Environmental Justice.

For lead free, chemical free, preservative free
hair and skin care products go to:

http://www.phmiracleliving.com/young-pHorever.htm

References

Reuters
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