More Lead in Lipstick

A study by the Food and Drug Administration found lead in lipstick at much higher levels than those detected by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in a 2007 study that received international attention. The FDA used a new method to analyze lipstick and concluded that earlier methods likely underestimated lead levels.

The FDA has no standard for lead in lipstick. "Pregnant women using lipstick are unknowingly exposing their fetuses 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," said Lisa Archer, national coordinator for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at the Breast Cancer Fund.

The FDA found an average lead level in lipstick more than 10 times higher than its own standard for lead in candy. The standard for candy is based on the lowest lead level that can be achieved.

Lipstick can become contaminated with lead in two ways: raw materials used in the lipstick may be contaminated with lead, or the pigments used in the lipstick can contain lead.

For more info, visit www.safecosmetics.org