How Much Lead Is in Your Lipstick?

Hundreds of lipstick brands tested positive for small amounts of lead. That’s the word from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Lead has been detected in lipstick for years. The most recent round of testing comes from the Food and Drug Administration. The agency analyzed 400 different products and posted the results on its website. The agency says that there is nothing to worry about since the levels are so low…under 10 parts per billion. The lead is not added intentionally, but rather is a byproduct of the minerals used to create colors. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics disagrees and is urging the agency to establish regulatory limits. It would also like to see pregnant women warned about the hazards of lead exposure.