A recently released Food and Drug Administration study has found that measureable amounts of lead exist in many popular brands of lipstick. In total, the FDA found 400 lipsticks on the market that tested positive for lead. Of the brands tested, the least contaminated lipstick was Wet 'n' Wild Mega Mixers Lip Balm Bahama Mama.
On the opposite end of the spectrum were Five L'Oréal and Maybelline lipsticks which ranked among the most contaminated with lead. Maybelline's Color Sensational Pink Petal lipstick had the most lead of all those tested, 7.19 parts per million. The L'Oreal lipstick contained about 7.0 ppm. Additionally, several other popular brands of lipsticks were also found to have high lead content levels. For instance, the Cover Girl and Nars lipsticks were found to contain lead levels close to the 5 ppm. The Cover Girl lipstick measured at 4.92, while Nars measured at 4.93. Other brands tested in the report include Cover Girl, Revlon, Estée Lauder, M.A.C., Burt's Bees and Almay.
Though the FDA has said that the amount of lead should be safe for consumers, other states have more strict requirements. For instance, California limits lead to a maximum 5 ppm, meaning several lipsticks tested exceed the threshold in that state for lead exposure. The FDA regulates cosmetic safety under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Cosmetics must "be safe when used as directed in the labeling or under customary conditions of use." However, cosmetics companies do not have to gain premarket approval for their products. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has begun a drive to pressure the FDA to regulate lipsticks and other consumer cosmetic products more carefully, insisting that danger is possible.
Concerns about the amount of lead in products like lipstick, which are easily ingested, have been around for a while now, but the Food and Drug Administration has not seemed unduly concerned. The agency says that it is not too worried about contamination from lipsticks, because little of the lipstick is actually ingested.
In these lipsticks, lead is not used as an ingredient, but is considered an impurity. Lead is a chemical compound found naturally in the air, water, and natural environment. St. Louis personal injury lawyers are aware of the many side effects and complications arising from lead exposure contamination. For instance, lead exposure in pregnant women can lead to delays in neurological development, hampering overall fetal development.
The cosmetic industry has no set standards about the kind of chemicals that can be used in their products, and companies generally depend on their own research to determine which ingredients are safe for consumers. If you think you may be sick or injured because of a company's failure to provide a safe and healthy consumer product, you need the help of a St. Louis products liability attorney experienced and ready to help protect your rights and recover damages for your injury. Contact products liability attorney Ben Sansone today for a free initial consultation at (314) 863-0500.
Source: "Lead found in 400 lipsticks, according to report by Food and Drug Administration," published at NYDailyNews.com.
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