Lead levels in lipstick higher than previously reported, says FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found lead levels in lipstick at levels much higher than those found in a study conducted in 2007.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found lead levels in lipstick at levels much higher than those found in a study conducted in 2007.
The report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) detected levels of lead but this latest study has found levels at 0.09 - 3.06 parts per million, four times higher than the highest level reported by the CSC.
The FDA concluded that earlier methods very likely underestimated the levels of lead found in lipstick. It noted that three manufacturers had the highest lead levels but declined to name them. The 2007 CSC study however named L’Oréal, Maybelline and Cover Girl as brands with consistently higher lead levels. Currently the FDA has no standard for the amount of lead allowed in lipstick products.
“Since recent science suggests that there is truly no safe lead exposure for pregnant women, it is disturbing that manufacturers are allowed to continue to sell lead-containing lipstick,” said Sean Palfrey, medical director of Boston’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
Lisa Archer, national coordinator for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at the Breast Cancer Fund added: “Pregnant women using lipstick are unknowingly exposing their foetuses to unknown and unregulated levels of lead. FDA should immediately set standards to require manufacturers to reduce lead in lipstick to the lowest achievable levels.