Lead and Its Effects

Lead is a dangerous substance that builds up in the body. It has been known to cause health problems that are often irreversible. It is considered a neurotoxin, one that causes problems in the brain. Some of the effects of exposure to lead are behavioral, learning, and language problems. Effects of lead on children can include a lowered IQ and reduced school performance. Children and pregnant women have greater risks to lead exposure. In fact, the fetus is prone to the effects of lead exposure because the substance can easily pass the placenta and enter the brain.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that there is no safe level of lead exposure and has suggested avoiding lead exposure coming from all sources, including cosmetics. Everyday exposure to lead in cosmetics could result in a lead buildup in the body.

Lead in Lipstick

In October of 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a nonprofit coalition that is dedicated to eliminate chemicals in cosmetics that are linked to health problems, tested 33 lipstick brands and found that 61% of the lipsticks tested contained lead. In these tests, there were lead levels of 0.65 parts per million (ppm).

Two years later, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a follow-up test and came up with staggering results. Some lipsticks were found to have 3.06 ppm. The highest levels of lead were found in large industrial cosmetic manufacturers namely: Procter & Gamble’s Cover Girl, L’Oreal, and Revlon.

FDA’s Role in Cosmetic Regulation

The FDA is the agency that regulates cosmetics sold in the US. Their role, derived from the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, however, does not give them the authority to require companies to conduct safety tests on cosmetic products before releasing them in the marketplace. Since the FDA may not regulate them beforehand, the product and its ingredients are not reviewed nor approved prior to release. In fact, the FDA’s regulations focus on the approval of color additives and labeling standards. However, the FDA has not yet given a concrete regulation with regards to the ingredients of safe cosmetics. This has allowed traces of heavy metals to be included in cosmetics with no health effect responsibilities.

Recalls are generated by a voluntary action of the cosmetic industry. If the FDA wants to remove a product from the shelves, it has to prove in court that the product may cause injury to the user or is improperly labeled.

Measures for Personal Safety

Since there seem to be loopholes in the current regulations of the $50 billion cosmetic industry, why gamble with those unknown quantities of potentially harmful chemicals? Since cosmetics are one of the least-regulated products in the US, why not opt for safer choices with all natural ingredients. It’s not always easy to switch our beauty regimen, but when it comes to safety, isn’t it better to know than not know?