Scarecrow Ron Hilton Dreamstime.com
As Halloween preparations are peaking, careful consideration needs to be given to cosmetics and other ingredients used for face (and body) painting.
A recent report published by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, called "Pretty Scary" reveals that some children’s face paints contain lead, a neurotoxin, as well as nickel, cobalt and chromium, which can cause lifelong skin sensitization and contact dermatitis.
For this report, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics sent 10 children's' face paints to an independent lab to test for heavy metals. "Among our findings,
* 10 out of 10 children's face paints we tested contained low levels of lead, ranging from 0.05 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm).
Experts say there is no safe level of lead exposure for children and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that parents avoid using cosmetics on their children that could be contaminated with lead. Lead exposures early in life can lead to hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, IQ deficits, reduced school performance, aggression and delinquent behavior. It can also impact fertility, including increasing risk for miscarriage and reducing sperm quality. Early-life lead exposure can even increase risk for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
* 6 out of 10 products contained the potent allergens nickel, chromium and/or cobalt at levels ranging from 1.6 to 120 ppm – far above the safety recommendations of industry studies. Nickel, chromium, and cobalt can trigger skin rashes that appear throughout life with subsequent exposures".
If you are uncertain about the quality of the face and body painting kit you are using, choose face paint or Halloween make-up made with food-grade ingredients. Or, choose costumes that do not need make-up or masks, which also contain toxins and impair breathing and vision.
Where to find more information:
The Smart Mama website for homemade creative and toxic-free make-up ideas, and face paint made with natural food coloring or food.
Read the report "Pretty scary; Could Halloween face paint cause lifelong health problems?", and the press release Halloween Face Paints Contain Lead, Heavy Metals Linked to Skin Allergies (Oct. 27, 2009).
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