At least two popular lipstick brands have lead levels above the
threshold considered safe (5 ppm) in personal care products in the state
of California, according to FDA researchers.
Lead is a neurotoxin that is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
In the FDA testing, the most-contaminated brand, Maybelline Color
Sensation made by L'Oreal USA, had lead levels more than 275 times the
level found in the least contaminated brands, and more than seven times
higher than the average found in all the lipsticks.
The FDA researchers, who tested 400 brands of lipstick, have concluded
that the problem is much more widespread among lipsticks sold to U.S.
customers than the agency's previous research had found.
According to Jane Houlihan, senior VP for research at Environmental
Working Group, "Millions of women get a little bit of toxic lead on
their lips each day with every swipe of their lipstick"
"There is no safe level of lead exposure. The biggest concern is for
pregnant women – lead is a potent neurotoxin and the fetus and very
young children are most at risk. Some companies make lead-free
lipsticks, and we think all companies should."
AzerTAc