01. Asbestos Use in Makeup
Why Is Asbestos in Makeup?
Many makeup products contain talcum powder. Talcum powder is made of talc, a mineral found naturally near asbestos. When talc is mined for use in makeup, asbestos fibers may be disturbed. As a result, talcum powder products can be contaminated with asbestos.
Asbestos Makeup History At-a-Glance
- Contaminated Ingredient Names: Talcum powder, talcum, talc, cosmetic talc, magnesium silicate
- Currently Used? Yes
- Places Used: Blush, contour palettes, eyeshadow, face powder, powder foundation
- Asbestos Use Banned: No
- Noteworthy Brands: Beauty Plus Global Inc., Claire’s©, Johnson & Johnson
Talc is currently an ingredient in many popular products. It can be found in baby powder, makeup palettes and other cosmetic goods. Talc contaminated with asbestos can pose a serious health threat. Individuals who manufactured or used these products may be at risk of developing illnesses such as mesothelioma.
Dangers of Asbestos in Makeup
Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of serious asbestos-related diseases. Studies have found several forms of cancer may be caused by exposure to talc.
Researchers in 2014 recorded several illnesses resulting from cosmetic talc exposure, including:
- Gynecological tumors
- Lung fibrosis, in the form of nodules called talcosis
- Mesothelioma
- Ovarian cancers
The same study also tested the inhalability of asbestos fibers in talc products. Researchers tested 50 samples of talc-based products produced over 50 years. Results confirmed talcum powder application would result in airborne asbestos.
Further research from 2020 tested 21 talc products for asbestos. The study authors found asbestos in 14% of the products, including one marketed expressly for children.
The nature of contaminated makeup makes it especially dangerous. Many cosmetic goods are placed around the face, nose and mouth. This makes inhalation and ingestion especially likely.
02. Talc in Cosmetics
Talcum Powder Use in Makeup
Talc is a common ingredient used in makeup. It is most common in powder-based products, such as eyeshadows, blush and powder foundation. On ingredient lists, talcum powder may also be listed as talcum, talc, cosmetic talc or magnesium silicate. Companies use talc in makeup for a variety of reasons.
Is Talc Safe?
Studies have shown talc is a safe ingredient if it is free of asbestos. Testing and purification processes can remove asbestos fibers from talc. However, in the United States, there are limited cosmetic talc regulations. As a result, many asbestos-contaminated, talc-based products continue to reach consumers.
The use of asbestos-contaminated talcum powder in consumer products has been a building issue in recent years. In October 2019, Johnson & Johnson recalled 33,000 bottles of baby powder after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found trace levels of asbestos in the product.
The discovery of asbestos in a popular household brand sparked research, lawsuits and awareness around the dangers of contaminated talc. In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson said it would no longer sell the talc-based baby powder in North America.
Are There Talcum Powder Alternatives?
Cosmetic formulas continue to evolve, incorporating alternatives for talcum powder.
Ingredients that may provide similar benefits include:
- Corn starch
- Lanolin
- Rice powder
- Rice starch
- Silica
- Tapioca starch
- Zinc oxide
The safety of these alternatives still requires further testing.
Some brands offer both talc and talc-free products. Other brands are completely talc-free. These talc-free products may be a good alternative for consumers wishing to avoid talc altogether.
03. List of Asbestos Makeup
Makeup Products Containing Asbestos
As claims of asbestos in cosmetics emerge, the FDA actively investigates these products. For instance, the FDA has performed testing for beauty products sold at Claire’s© and Justice® to confirm the presence of asbestos.
Makeup products confirmed to contain asbestos include:
The FDA is investigating other products to determine the presence of asbestos. Those items are not listed. New cases of asbestos in makeup continue to emerge.
Asbestos-contaminated cosmetic products have been produced by a variety of companies. Many of these brands are household names. Several are also marketed directly to children, such as Claire’s©.
04. Asbestos in Children’s Makeup
Asbestos in Children’s Makeup Products
No level of asbestos exposure is safe. However, long-term exposure may increase the risk of developing illnesses such as asbestosis.
Asbestos in children’s makeup and other products may be especially dangerous. Children have thinner skin, making them more susceptible to health risks from harmful chemicals. Mesothelioma’s long latency period would also affect exposed children earlier in life than exposed adults.
Within the last few years, several different children’s products have been found to contain asbestos, such as those sold at Claire’s© and Justice®. Kids’ makeup has been one of the biggest issues because it is frequently made with talc.
Current regulations do not require every product be tested for asbestos. As a result, there could be other contaminated products being marketed to children. While federal agencies and consumer watchdog groups continue to investigate products, parents may find it easier to cut out talc products entirely.
Why Is Asbestos in Children’s Makeup?
Retailers often have contracts with specific suppliers to create their makeup products. Despite the well-known dangers of asbestos, talc suppliers continue to deliver contaminated products. This includes suppliers in the United States and overseas.
Activist group Environmental Working Group (EWG) warns toy makeup kits are often made with cheap ingredients. These are more likely to contain asbestos. EWG’s Vice President for Healthy Living Science, Nneka Leiba, voiced her concerns. She stated profits are not as important as protecting children from a carcinogen such as asbestos.
05. Asbestos Cosmetics News
News on Asbestos in Cosmetics
06. Makeup & Asbestos Exposure
Who Is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure From Makeup?
Asbestos exposure can affect individuals at work, home and school. Occupational exposure is commonly associated with industrial workers and veterans. However, non-occupational exposure is a leading cause of mesothelioma in women.
Exposure can have serious health implications at any age or level of exposure.
Any individual who suspects they have been exposed to asbestos may be at risk of developing an asbestos disease, including lung cancer or mesothelioma.
07. Asbestos Regulations
Regulations for Cosmetics With Asbestos
The dangers of asbestos have been well known since the 1960s. In the late 1970s, federal agencies began to regulate asbestos use. However, attempts to ban the mineral entirely have not been successful.
Awareness of the need for stricter talc regulations emerged in the late 1970s. Until recently, little progress has been made to establish federal legislation ensuring talc products are asbestos free.
Cosmetic Talc and Asbestos Legislation
There are very few cosmetic industry regulations around talc and contaminated products.
The events surrounding Johnson & Johnson baby powder and Claire’s© makeup have sparked conversations with advocates and key stakeholders. Concerns surrounding federal legislation and inadequate FDA standards for asbestos testing have led to recent calls for action.
Advocacy groups hope these actions will encourage stricter regulations for cosmetic testing. Proper testing laws may require manufacturers to clearly label if their product may contain trace levels of asbestos.
What Are Asbestos-Free Cosmetics?
The United States is one of several countries without a full ban on asbestos. Lacking such a ban, low levels of asbestos use continue.
Products in the United States can be labeled “asbestos free” if they contain up to 1% of the mineral. However, 1% of asbestos can still include hundreds of thousands of fibers.
Multiple organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Cancer Society, assert no level of asbestos is safe.
Who Is Responsible for Cosmetic Safety?
Three primary organizations are responsible for general asbestos safety, including the EPA, OSHA and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
For cosmetics specifically, the FDA maintains responsibility. The FDA has been called into question for failing to ensure cosmetic safety.
Cosmetic products and their ingredients aren’t required to undergo FDA approval and review. The FDA also does not strictly regulate proper labeling or require the disclosure of safety information.
The FDA does not routinely conduct product testing unless precipitated by a large event. For example, the Claire’s© recall helped spark recent testing.
Consumer watchdog groups are also instrumental in cosmetic safety. Though they have no power to change regulations, these groups often act as whistleblowers to alert consumers to dangerous products.
08. Asbestos Testing
Testing for Asbestos in Cosmetics
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and are not visible to the naked eye. Three of the most common methods used to test for asbestos include:
- Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM)
- Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
The EPA asserts TEM is the best method to use. TEM uses extreme magnification to conduct morphology, crystalline structure and elemental analysis. This method can identify asbestos fibers in the air and products, such as makeup.
Stores such as Claire’s© and Justice® use labs certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to test their products. However, the organization does not necessarily use TEM testing. When labs use PCM or PLM methods, they may not identify low levels of asbestos. This could lead labs to deem a product asbestos free when there are still harmful fibers present.
09. Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions for Asbestos Cosmetics
Individuals should always be aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure and what products could contain the mineral. The FDA and EWG will occasionally issue warnings when there are concerns around consumer products.
The EWG asserts parents and guardians are entitled to make their own decisions regarding whether their children should use makeup. However, parents should exercise caution when purchasing a talc-based product.
Precautions can be taken to protect children and adults from the dangers of asbestos in cosmetics.
Consumers should be aware of what ingredients are in their products. They should also understand not all ingredients are disclosed.
If there is asbestos in a product and an individual has been exposed, symptoms of an asbestos illness could take years to develop. If symptoms of mesothelioma or another asbestos condition arise, seek medical care as soon as possible to aid early diagnosis.
10. Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits, Settlements & Other Compensation
Individuals with an asbestos disease may be eligible to seek compensation. Compensation awards for cosmetic exposure are most likely to come in the form of lawsuit verdicts or settlement agreements.
Successful compensation lawsuits can serve many purposes, including:
- Assisting with medical costs
- Covering wages lost due to an asbestos disability
- Holding negligent asbestos companies responsible
- Setting precedent for future asbestos exposure cases
Asbestos victims can contact a mesothelioma lawyer to determine their eligibility and file a case.
