Halloween Face Paints May Contain Lead and Other Toxins, Study Finds

Before you put face paint on your spooky little ghost or goblin this Halloween, you may want to consider a new report that finds many of the children’s products contain lead, nickel, and other potentially dangerous toxins.

Perhaps most disturbing of all, according to the study conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, is that the dangerous ingredients found in many cosmetic face paints for children may not be listed on the products’ label.

“Parents should not have to worry that face paint contains lead and other hazardous substances, and they have a right to know what’s in these products,” said Lisa Archer, national coordinator of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at the Breast Cancer Fund. “Clearly, companies are not making the safest products possible for children, even though kids are particularly vulnerable to toxic exposures.”

Lead Exposure Causes Severe Injuries

Exposure to lead can seriously interfere with development and functioning of the nervous system, particularly in young children who may suffer from learning disabilities, reduced IQ, and other complications. Lead also is toxic to organs and tissue including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and the reproductive and nervous systems.

While the dangers to children associated with exposure to lead in paint in homes and on toys and other consumer products have long been studied and known, the risk associated with Halloween face paints is relatively new. With the holiday right around the corner, the group’s study comes out at a time when adults might want to more carefully examine the costumes their children wear.

Laboratory Testing Detects Lead

As part of the study, the campaign sent 10 brands of children’s face paints to a laboratory for testing. Researchers also reviewed the labels of face paints sold at a Halloween store. The study’s findings are summarized below, according to a Reuters news report:

• All 10 children’s face paints contained lead ranging from 0.05 to 0.65 parts per million.

• Six out of 10 children’s face paints contained nickel, cobalt and/or chromium at levels ranging from 1.6 to 120 ppm, which is far greater than industry safety recommendations of 1 ppm.

• Snazaroo Face Paint, which is labeled as “non-toxic” and “hypoallergenic,” contained some of the highest levels of lead, nickel and cobalt found in the study.

More information on the study of children’s face paint for lead and other toxins can be found at www.safecosmetics.org/prettyscary.

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