The EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental and health group, aired this dire warning not to buy certain brands of lipsticks in the wake of its recent discovery of cheap but unsafe lipsticks that can put consumer health at grave risk.
At a press briefing held today in Quezon City, the group revealed the unlawful sale of MAC (counterfeit) and Qianxiu lipsticks with dangerously high concentrations of heavy metal contaminants following test buys conducted last August 1 at popular 168 Shopping Mall and Divisoria Mall in Manila.
“Arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and other toxic metals must not form part of the composition of lipsticks and other cosmetics to prevent human exposure to these highly hazardous chemicals, which could be due to the use of low-quality raw materials and non-adherence to good manufacturing practices” s Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition, said in a press statement.
“Consumers, especially women and girls, are putting themselves at risk by embellishing their lips with cosmetics containing heavy metal impurities. It’s fine to wear lipstick and feel beautiful as long as your health will not be impaired,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury among the “10 chemicals of major public health concern” requiring action by governments to protect the health of children, women of reproductive age, and workers.
“Our body has no use for these heavy metals, which are toxic even at low levels and are linked to neurodevelopmental deficits, hormonal disruption, reproductive disorders, and various diseases, including cancer,” said toxicologist Dr. Erle Castillo of the Medical Center Manila and the Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology (PSCOT).
Of the 57 samples of lipsticks bought for P14.50 to P35 each and subjected to chemicals screening with an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, 55 were found to contain one or more toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury above the maximum allowable limits set by the “ASEAN Guidelines on Limits of Contaminants for Cosmetics.”
According to the Guidelines, “heavy metal contaminants could be derived from the quality and purity of raw materials, and the manufacturing process.”
Lead, which is linked to neurological and intellectual deficiencies, in excess of the allowable limit of 20 ppm, was detected in 48 samples.