John Bailey, executive vice president for science with the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, said the recent report that a number of leading lipsticks include lead is creating concern where there needn't be any.
Mr. Bailey was responding to a report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which said tests conducted by the group found a third of lipsticks contain lead levels in excess of limits set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set daily safe levels for lead exposure for adults, children and pregnant women. The agency also has set strict limits for lead levels allowed in the colors used in lipsticks, and actually analyze most of these to ensure they are followed," said Mr. Bailey. "The products identified in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) report meet these standards. In fact, all the products tested in the CSC report meet the California standards for safety established under their Prop 65 process."
Mark Mitchell, M.D., MPH, president, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, is among those who don't believe the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' findings should simply be dismissed. "Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels," he said. "The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure."
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has promised an investigation into the allegations made by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The agency said it has investigated similar charges in the past.
Stephanie Kwisnek, a spokesperson at the FDA, told The Associated Press, "These concerns have not generally been supported by FDA's own analysis of products on the market. In the present case, we are looking into the specific details of the issues raised. We will need to confirm the factual basis of these reports independently in order to determine what action, if any, may be needed to protect public health."
Discussion Questions: Will lipstick sales be affected by the accusations made by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics? What steps, if any, should retailers that sell lipstick be taking to counteract the negative publicity brought up by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics announcement? What do you think of the response made by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association?