LIPSTICKS & GLOSSES SOURCE OF TOXIC METALS

Lipsticks and lip glosses can deliver more than colorful lips.  Because these products are worn on the lips, they are ingested and therefore can be a source of dietary contaminants.   According to a new study these products often contain lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, and five other toxic metals. 

The research team, lead by Dr. Katharine Hammond at the University of California, Berkeley tested 32 different lip glosses and lipsticks commonly sold at drug and department stores.  Researchers estimated risk based on the concentration of the metals detected and users' potential daily intake.  They compared that information with existing public health guidelines about acceptable intake levels of lead and other heavy metals.

Some metals were detected at levels that could raise potential health concerns.  Lead was found in 24 of the 32 products, but at a concentration usually lower than the acceptable daily intake levels for adults.  However, the researchers cautioned lead levels in these products might be unsafe for children wearing or playing with them.  Lead exposure can cause developmental and neurological problems.  It has also been linked to elevated levels of diabetes.  When used at an average daily rate, the estimated intake of chromium from 10 products exceeded acceptable daily intake. Chromium has been linked to stomach tumors. The researchers also found that high lip product use, multiple daily applications, could result in overexposure to aluminum, cadmium and manganese. High manganese levels have been linked to nervous system problems.  In the study, certain colors were not more likely than others to have the toxic metals nor did glosses and lipsticks systematically differ in their content of heavy metals.

The FDA regulates cosmetics safety under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The FDA does not set limits for lead or other metals in cosmetics but has set specifications for the lead content specifically in the color additives that are used in cosmetics.

What to do:  Consider using lip cosmetics less frequently.  Pregnant women and children should be especially cautious about their exposure to lead and heavy metals.  Look for products that specify they contain no heavy metals such as those often found at natural food type stores.  Many manufacturers have additional information about the contents of their products listed on their website and the FDA also does list on its website the lead content (though not that of other metals) of many lipsticks.  In general, it is important to remember that while not food, we do ingest some portion of products we use on our lips and in oral hygiene.  For those with food allergies, especially gluten or soy allergies, it is also wise to check online either at the manufacturers’ sites or allergen information sites to make sure products do not contain the problem ingredients.

Adapted from articles available at:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130502082249.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_136460.html

Source:

Liu S, Hammond SK, Rojas-Cheatham A. Concentrations and Potential Health Risks of Metals in Lip Products.  Environmental Health Perspectives, 2013 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1205518.  Available at:  http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/1205518/