Scrapes: Lead in Lipstick
Summary:
Approximately 400 different shades of lipstick have been found to contain lead; furthermore the top 10 from those that produced the most of these contaminated products are among the most popular on the market. Brands such as cover girl, L'Oreal, and Maybelline. Questions arose and the FDA got involved with the issue by testing the amount of lead in lipsticks known to contain them. However in the 1990's despite the big push for regulation, the FDA ruled it to be safe for the public. It was announced that there's not enough lead in the product to pass a law on it. The public eventually calmed down and the government did not get involved with the issue as it died down and it appears to be 'safe' for public use.
Reflection:
The article as most of them is alarming; with the knowledge that there are chemicals that do not completely breakdown for a long period of time, it is surprising yet again how the human anatomy is able to ward off too much toxins entering the body daily. Specially with make-up, women and men use these products worldwide, they put it on their skin, their face, lips, and at times ingest it accidentally. With lipstick it is not uncommon to lick the lips where the product was applied. It is important to note that these products contain chemicals known to cause several health issues. That the products on the market often contain untested chemicals, and the consumers purchase said products under false sense of safety for themselves and their families. This issue is both surprising and frightening; that we all take in so much chemicals in one day, yet we are so oblivious to the poison that slowly is building in our bodies and course through out veins.
I found the article pretty interesting, because I do use makeup and just recently started using lipstick. Although it is pretty surprising to know that there are levels of lead found in lipstick and cosmetics, that would not stop me from using cosmetics, because, due to what the FDA said, the levels are very low and do not pose any big and dangerous risks. Despite that, I believe that it is a bit of a problem, because for all we know, those levels could have increased over the years. It would be nice, as a user of cosmetics, to truthfully know what is being put in the products being used. Due to this article, as a user, I could limit my use of cosmetics and help educate my friends who do use makeup about that issue.
Approximately 400 different shades of lipstick have been found to contain lead; furthermore the top 10 from those that produced the most of these contaminated products are among the most popular on the market. Brands such as cover girl, L'Oreal, and Maybelline. Questions arose and the FDA got involved with the issue by testing the amount of lead in lipsticks known to contain them. However in the 1990's despite the big push for regulation, the FDA ruled it to be safe for the public. It was announced that there's not enough lead in the product to pass a law on it. The public eventually calmed down and the government did not get involved with the issue as it died down and it appears to be 'safe' for public use.
Reflection:
The article as most of them is alarming; with the knowledge that there are chemicals that do not completely breakdown for a long period of time, it is surprising yet again how the human anatomy is able to ward off too much toxins entering the body daily. Specially with make-up, women and men use these products worldwide, they put it on their skin, their face, lips, and at times ingest it accidentally. With lipstick it is not uncommon to lick the lips where the product was applied. It is important to note that these products contain chemicals known to cause several health issues. That the products on the market often contain untested chemicals, and the consumers purchase said products under false sense of safety for themselves and their families. This issue is both surprising and frightening; that we all take in so much chemicals in one day, yet we are so oblivious to the poison that slowly is building in our bodies and course through out veins.
I found the article pretty interesting, because I do use makeup and just recently started using lipstick. Although it is pretty surprising to know that there are levels of lead found in lipstick and cosmetics, that would not stop me from using cosmetics, because, due to what the FDA said, the levels are very low and do not pose any big and dangerous risks. Despite that, I believe that it is a bit of a problem, because for all we know, those levels could have increased over the years. It would be nice, as a user of cosmetics, to truthfully know what is being put in the products being used. Due to this article, as a user, I could limit my use of cosmetics and help educate my friends who do use makeup about that issue.