EcoWaste Coalition warns consumers of cheap toxic lipsticks with unsafe heavy metal content

Environmental and health group EcoWaste Coalition warned consumers of cheap but toxic lipsticks being sold illegally, containing unsafe high-level metal content, which can put their health at risk.

A report on DZBB Super Radyo said the group conducted tests at 168 Shopping Mall Divisoria in Manila on August 1 and found fake MAC and Qianxiu lipsticks that were being sold illegally.

The report said that the World Health Organization (WHO) found toxic metal content in the products including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury among others, which should not be part of the composition of lipsticks and other cosmetic products.

"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" said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition. 

The metal content found are included in the "10 chemicals of major public health concern" which requires action from government to protect the health of children, women and workers. 

Dr. Erle Castillo of the Medical Center Manila and the Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology (PSCOT) said even at low levels these metals are harmful and are linked to various diseases, including cancer.

"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," toxicologist Dr. Erle said.

After screening the samples with an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, the group learned that 55 of the 57 sample lipsticks were found to contain one or more toxic metals above the maximum allowable limits set by the "ASEAN Guidlines on Limits of Contaminants for Cosmetics."

The lipsticks were sold for as low as P14.50 to P35 each.

The guidelines said "heavy metal contaminants could be derived from the quality and purity of raw materials, and the manufacturing process."

The report also said lead was detected in 48 samples in excess of the allowable limit of 20 ppm which is linked to neurological and intellectual deficiencies.

Twenty-two of the samples with the highest levels of lead include:

1. Qianxiu Matte Lipnicure #06, 42,900 ppm
2. MAC Matte Lipstick Mariah Carey #02, 38,100 ppm
3. Qianxiu It's Moisturizing Matte Lipstick #06, 34,500 ppm
4. Qianxiu Lipstick #06, 25,000 ppm
5. Qianxiu Lipstick #01, 22,500 ppm
6. Qianxiu Lipstick #10, 21,400 ppm
7. Qianxiu Matte Lipnicure #04, 15,700 ppm
8. Qianxiu It's Moisturizing Matte Lipstick #04, 13,200 ppm
9. Qianxiu Lipstick #02, 12,900 ppm
10. Qianxiu Matte Lipnicure #02, 12,500 ppm
11. Qianxiu It's Moisturizing Matte Lipstick #02, 11,900 ppm
12. Qianxiu Lipstick #07, 11,200 ppm
13. MAC Matte Lipstick Mariah Carey #06, 9,401 ppm
14. MAC Zac Posen Rudy Woo #12, 8,713 ppm
15. MAC Matte Lipstick Mariah Carey #01, 7,327 ppm
16. Qianxiu Lipstick #11, 7,258 ppm
17. MAC Zac Posen So Chaud #04, 6,400 ppm
18. Qianxiu Matte Lipnicure #01, 5,251 ppm
19. Qianxiu Matte Lipnicure #10, 5,095 ppm
20. Qianxiu It's Moisturizing Matte Lipstick #01, 4,764 ppm
21. MAC Matte Lipstick Mariah Carey #05, 4,539 ppm
22. MAC Zac Posen Girl About Town #08, 4,285 ppm

Forty-three of the samples contain 1,876 ppm of arsenic, two sample lipsticks contained 332 ppm of cadmium, while and Mercury with 130 ppm was found in three samples.

The EcoWaste Coalition said the "outrageous levels of lead" detected in these unregistered fake lipsticks can also cause harm to babies inside wombs.

US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) said "lead can cross the placental barrier, which means pregnant women who are exposed to lead also expose their unborn child." 

"Lead can damage a developing baby's nervous system. Even low-level lead exposures in developing babies have been found to affect behavior and intelligence," NIOSH added. 

Pregnant women are also at risk when exposed to high levels of lead resulting to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight and birth defects.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) said arsenic and cadmium are classified as a known human carcinogen and has been linked to breast cancer.

Meanwhile, WHO said, mercury is "toxic to human health, posing a particular threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life."

EcoWaste Coalition listed recommendations to consumers, local government, authorities and legitimate cosmetics manufacturers to avoid the production and retail of unsafe toxic lipsticks.

1. For consumers to refrain from buying unregistered and counterfeit lipsticks and to exercise their right to product information and safety.

2. For the health, customs, local government and police authorities to intensify law enforcement action against manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of adulterated and fake lipsticks, including seizing non-compliant products and bringing culprits to courts.

3. For legitimate cosmetic manufacturers to produce quality but affordable lipsticks that will discourage consumers from patronizing cheap but perilous lipsticks.

— Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News