Is There Too Much Lead in Your Lipstick?

Is There Too Much Lead in Your Lipstick?

Lead is present in tiny amounts in so many of our products – but is the amount of lead in your cosmetics safe?

The FDA has issued a new draft guidance rule as to how much lead can safely be in cosmetics.

According to their website, the federation has suggested a safety limit of a maximum of 10 parts per million for lead in lipsticks as well as other cosmetic products such as lip gloss, lip liners, eye shadows, blushes and even shampoos and body lotions.

The new guidelines aren’t yet rules that have been laid down in stone. They’re simply being suggested as not all cosmetic products available in the U.S have similar ingredients.

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Is it cause for concern? Maybe. CNN.com reports that most cosmetics sold in the country already contain less than this new, recommended amount of lead, but that products imported from other countries can contain higher levels, something which likely should be monitored.

It’s well known that lead can accumulate in the body over time, with toxic results. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that in adults, blood lead levels over 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood is considered high, and for children, the amount is half of that.

Lead contamination has been in the headlines this year, but for other reasons.  Flint, Michigan continues to struggle with lead-infected drinking water, and toxic levels of lead have been found in drinking water all over the country.

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A fantastic Christmas present? Safe cosmetics and clean drinking water, across the board. Maybe for 2018.

Photo credit: Subbotina Anna/Shutterstock

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