It shouldn't be laid-back to keep at led safe levels in lipstick and other make-ups, the Food and Drug Administration says. And it says while various cosmetics contain some lead, it's a such low levels that people are not at harmful risk using them. It issued guidance this week endorsing that cosmetics manufacturers keep lead infection to no more than ten parts per million.
"FDA has analyzed 685 products and found that more than 99 percent of products tested contain levels of lead that are at or below FDA's recommended maximum level for lead as an impurity as described in today's draft guidance," the agency said in a statement released Wednesday. The activity started the tests after the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested.
"The FDA posted the results of its surveys of lipsticks in 2009 and 2011, and today is posting the additional results for cosmetic lip products and from the testing of externally applied cosmetics." Scientists at the agency came up with a new way to test lipstick and other products for lead content.
FDA-Based Approved Products Controls Hygenic Approach Before Consumers
"Based on our surveys we determined that manufacturers are capable of limiting lead content in cosmetic products to 10 ppm or less if they are careful about selecting their ingredients and follow good manufacturing practices," it said. They did some scheming to figure out how likely public are to absorb led from lipstick compared to, we say, eye shadow after applying it to the skin for a few hours.
"The FDA has concluded that use of cosmetics that meet the maximum recommended lead level would not pose a health risk and is not advising consumers to change their current use of cosmetics based on lead levels," it added.
"The agency also encourages manufacturers of lipsticks and other cosmetic products to follow or continue to follow manufacturing practices that allow them to achieve levels of lead lower than 10 ppm whenever feasible."
The guidance like this is not that kind of mandatory however, "FDA is prepared to take enforcement action against any cosmetic lip product or externally applied cosmetic containing lead at levels that may harm consumers," it added.
