Tell FDA: Zero is the ONLY Acceptable Lipstick Lead Level
- by: Susan V
- recipient: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA is pretty much kissing off concerns over lead levels in lipstick.
But some consumers' groups are seeing red over it - and for good reason. Just last month a CDC Advisory committee concluded there was no safe level of lead exposure for children or the unborn, due to the weight of evidence associating blood levels below 10 ug/dL with lowered IQs and behavioral problems like ADHD. It found also that adverse effects of these very low levels extended to cardiovascular, immune and endocrine systems.
With this information that's been accumulating for years, how can the FDA take lightly any level of lead in products, especially those easily ingested like lipstick? At the very least, FDA should label lead amounts in all products.
Because damage from lead shows up at all blood levels and is considered irreversible, the committee says the focus should be on prevention.
Tell FDA: ZERO is the Only Acceptable Lead Level
We, the undersigned, are concerned about what appears to be your lack of concern over lead in lipstick.
We understand you have stated that 20 parts per million in color additives is not a significant level, however, hasn't FDA been relying on companies to do the testing and taking their word for the levels, as is done with synthetic fragrances? Also is FDA considering all important concerns about lead in lipstick, like those expressed by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC)?
This consumer group says "FDA tested lipstick for the presence of lead only. The agency has not conducted a safety assessment about the health effects of lead exposure from lipstick, nor have they done any studies to determine the amount of lipstick that is ingested by consumers."
For example, lipstick is absorbed through the skin and certainly through ingestion as well, so even if levels are low, perhaps more is being absorbed because of multiple ways it gets into the bloodstream. Furthermore, lead accumulates in the body, so frequency of use is also an issue, and often lipstick is applied several times a day, every day in some cases.
Since pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning and its adverse effects, ("lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development."), shouldn't FDA at least require labeling of lead levels in cosmetics, along with warnings for children and expectant mothers?
Some have argued that children don't use lipstick, but have you ever known one not play with it? And what about the child beauty pageants that are popular with some parents and children?
Labeling would at least help vulnerable groups choose the safest available products.
In the end, however, it should be up to the FDA to admit there is no safe level of lead and require that all cosmetics contain the least amount possible. So far, says CSC, FDA has set no limits for lipstick lead whatsoever..
Furthermore, says CSC, "lead is banned from all cosmetics in the European Union," so why not in the United States?
We request the FDA ban lead from all cosmetics, and until it does, require labeling of lead levels and periodic independent testing to assure labeling is accurate.
Thank you for your attention to these concerns.
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