Environment group warns of toxic lipstick

MANILA, Philippines — As the country observed “National Lipstick Day” yesterday, an environmental group warned women against toxic lipstick that can damage their health.

“Although prohibited as an ingredient in cosmetic products, we find some lipsticks, particularly those without market authorization, containing high levels of lead,” Thony Dizon of EcoWaste Coalition said.

Dizon said that lead-containing lipsticks are also laced with other toxic chemicals such as arsenic, cadmium and mercury that are above the allowable limits set by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the ASEAN guidelines on the limits of contaminants for cosmetics, lead should not be directly added to the cosmetic product formulations. 

The trace amount limit of lead in cosmetics should not be more than 20 parts per million (ppm).

Dizon described as unethical the unlawful sale of cheap lipsticks that contain lead above the regulatory limit.

Of the 75 lipsticks that the group bought on July 26 and 27 for P26 to P50 apiece, 26 were found to contain lead way above the prescribed limit.

The items were purchased in Divisoria, Paco and Quiapo in Manila as well as in Pasay City.

Using a handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the group detected atrocious levels of lead ranging from 112 ppm to a dangerously high 44,400 ppm in the lipsticks.

“The lead contaminant in these lipsticks may be due to the use of impure and low quality raw materials and poor manufacturing processes,” Dizon said.

“While it is most detrimental to young children’s health, especially to their developing brains, lead exposure in adults can damage their kidneys and increase the risk of high blood pressure,” he added.

According to a US-based campaign for safe cosmetics, a chemical-like lead builds up in the body over time, so low but repeated exposure increases the risk.

“Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight,” according to the World Health Organization, which listed lead among 10 chemicals of major public health concern.

To protect consumers’ health, EcoWaste urged the FDA to issue an urgent public health advisory and stop the sale of toxic lipsticks and other unsafe cosmetic products like skin whitening creams laden with mercury.