Lipgloss And Lipsticks Could Contain Toxic Metals

Study looked at 24 glosses and found presence of potentially dangerous metals

A preliminary new study has found potentially harmful metals in 24 popular lipgloss brands.

This study is the first to suggest many products contain cadmium, chromium, aluminum and other metals at possibly harmful levels.

The researchers, whose work was published in Environmental Health Perspectives Thursday, looked at 24 different lipglosses and eight lipsticks bought at chemists and department stores in the US, for prices range from $5.59 to $24, and found traces of the toxic metals in them.

Katharine Hammond, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of California Berkeley's School of Public Health and study author, said: 'The metals that we were really most concerned about were cadmium, chromium, aluminum and manganese,' adding that overexposure to each carries risks, for example serious kidney problems and that lip products are of major concern due to the potential for ingestion.

Prof Hammon, however, added the study needs further investigation into the levels of metals in lip products as well as the health implications. 'I don't think that people should go into a panic, or abandon lipstick, but I do think this is a concern', she said.

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