Study finds popular lipstick brands containing tiny amounts of lead

Scientists at Underwriters Laboratories in the America have revealed that many popular lipstick brands contain tiny amounts of lead, raising concerns about potential health risks of the toxic brain-damaging heavy metal.

The analysis, which was commissioned by Good Morning America (GMA), an American morning television show on the ABC television network, found 12 out of the 22 sample lipstick brands (or 55%) did contain lead.

Underwriters Laboratories North America division general manager Roy Lamothe told GMA that the industry creates its own standards and it sticks to them regularly.

The study has found lead levels ranging from no detectable level to 3.22 parts per million, a level below the limit for lipstick in California, which is 5 parts per million, and Europe, which is 10 parts per million.

GMA declined to say which lipstick brands were tested or were found to contain lead.

The lead levels , however, revealed in the study were considered safe by the US Food and Drug Administration(FDA).

According to Boston Lead Poisoning Prevention Program medical director Dr Sean Palfrey, even minimal lead exposure poses a serious health risk and could affect mental health.

FDA, in February 2012, released a study that found 400 lipsticks on the market tested positive for lead traces.

There are no standards set currently by the FDA limiting levels in lipstick, therefore it is up to manufacturers to decide on the safety tests performed.

Lead is not intentionally added to lipstick but many colour additives, which are mineral-based, contain trace levels of lead naturally found in soil, water and air.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics member Janet Nudelman said that there are many concerning areas as more than half of the lipsticks do contain lead, but half of them don’t, implying that there are possibilities to manufacture lipsticks without lead.