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Going Commando: To Lead or Not To Lead, That is the Question

The AP had a story today talking about the FDA looking into lead levels in lipstick.

Lead is a known carcinogen that is absorbed through the skin, and accumulates in the bones, causes neurological damage, behavior abnormalities, leg cramps, muscle weakness, numbness and depression. Among other things.

Lead in lipstick. Does anyone else find this as disturbing as I do?

This is especially troubling when compounded with this comment from John Bailey, an executive vice president at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association.

"Consumers are exposed daily to lead when they eat, drink water and breathe the air....The average amount of lead a woman would be exposed to when using cosmetics is 1,000 times less than the amount she would get from eating, breathing, and drinking water that meets Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards."

I would like to say to John Bailey that he needs a serious attitude adjustment.

Frankly, it is irrelevant how much lead consumers are exposed to when they eat, drink and live. Because some of that exposure is out of our control. In fact, if so much lead is in the environment, it is even more crucial that companies which produce consumables become ever more diligent about NOT contributing to the problem of lead intake since it accumulates in our bones.

There are some things we cannot control. We cannot control death and taxes. We cannot control evil things other people say. We cannot control how much lead happens to occur naturally. We cannot control our immediate exposure when in transit, when in areas contaminated by pollutants, or exposure when we don't even know the contaminant is around.

Ingestion and dermal absorption are primary ways we take in lead. (I don't think inhalation applies here. I don't know anyone who snorts lipstick.)

Ingestion matters--because we do apply lipstick to our mouths. If we didn't ingest lipstick, why are lipstick and lip gloss available in flavors?

And dermal absorption. Science has recognized the skin's ability to absorb lead compounds since the 1940's. I looked it up. If you want to learn more about it, google this phrase: "The ability of the skin to absorb certain organic lead compounds." You will find an EPA document that talks about "How Lead Gets Into People."

Oh, and I don't want to leave out in utero exposure. It's not one I thought about, but it's mentioned in that EPA document. And it is important, since, I suspect pregnant women do wear lipstick.

Now I'm not saying I believe makeup companies are handing us sticks of pure lead to color our lips. I'm just saying it is their responsibility to avoid putting poisons into our lipstick. And our foundation. And all our makeup, for that matter. And surely, it is not responsible to make light of it.

And be happy I'm not talking about all of the lethal solvent thingees and other nasties that do go into makeup.

As I started to say a paragraph ago, there are a few things we can control. One element we can control is what we buy. So I politely ask Mr. Bailey not to advocate putting poisonous ingredients into something millions of women rub on to their lips. You may be willing to advocate an allowable lead intake for your wife or your daughter's lipstick, but you do not speak for me. Because, Mr. Bailey, I am not a generic consumer. No one is a generic consumer. We are all daughters, or wives or mothers, and we are perfectly willing to vote with our wallet, and go without makeup.

As far as lipstick goes, if the choice is to go red or lead-free, is there really a choice?

Full post as published by The Brockovich Report on October 14, 2007 (boomark / email).