Public interest group, EcoWaste Coalition, has released a warning that some cosmetics may contain heavy metal content.
Speaking of the amount of metal found in some lipsticks, the Coalition, which pursues sustainable solutions such as chemical issues in the Philippines and wider world, has urged beauty shoppers to avoid lip products with heavy metal impurities. They warned these “poison lipsticks” could lead to detrimental health issues.
A statement revealed the group found lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic contamination in imitation and cheap lipsticks. They also discovered these levels were above ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) limits.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these four contaminants fall under the list of “10 chemicals of major public health concern.” The ACD also stated these were “subtstances which must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products.”
Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner at EcoWaste Coalition urged lipstick users not to buy counterfeit lipsticks and those without proper makeup authorisation.
“To safeguard consumer health, we request the authorities, particularly the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cause the immediate seizure of the non-compliant lipsticks in cooperation with local government and police units,” he added.
Three Sydney children were also recently diagnosed with lead poisoning after using eyeliner that was manufactured in Pakistan. The children used the Hashmi Kohl Aswad and Hashmi Surma Special eyeliners, which can be purchased in some Pakistani and Indian stores in Sydney.
EcoWaste tests found that both eyeliners had traces of lead, arsenic and cadmium that far exceeded the limits set by the ACD.
