Cosmetics under scrutiny after testing revealed asbestos materials in talc

An article published in last month’s Environmental Health Insights showed that researchers found measurable amounts of asbestos in one in seven cosmetic products that contain talc.

The researchers, from the Environmental Working Group, which is a non-profit research organisation, looked at 21 cosmetic products made from talc, and the samples included common products like eye shadow, face powders and children’s makeup products. Of those products, three of the samples contained asbestos materials.

Despite the small sample size, the findings echo research completed by the Food and Drug Administration in the US.

Vice President of healthy living science for the Environmental Working Group, Nneka Leiba, who is also one of the authors of the study explained that the results could have major consequences for public health.

“I think people should be quite concerned. One in seven is no small number. I use more than seven personal-care products,” Leiba told Business Insider. “I definitely took a hard look at my products after we did this study.”

Powder-based cosmetics are of particular concern to public health experts because they can be aspirated when the powder is airborne.

“If you visualise putting on a face powder, there’s a lot of inhalable particles that can get into the lungs,” Leiba said.

Of significant concern was one of the products which were marketed specifically towards children, who are potentially at risk of adverse health consequences due to their still-developing lungs.

The full report can be found here.