Beauty can come at a cost, but toxic lead in lipstick may be taking it too far.

According to a study conducted by UC Berkeley researchers and published in a recent issue of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, high levels of toxic heavy metals, including lead, were found in some of the leading brands of lipstick ingredients.

The study comes after a 2012 FDA review of 400 major lipstick products in which the agency declared the levels of lead posed no serious threats because there is “limited absorption.” But, in a statement, lead study author Sa Liu, a UC Berkeley researcher in environmental health sciences, says “I believe that the Food and Drug Administration should pay attention to this,” adding, “Our study was small, using lip products that had been identified by young Asian women in Oakland, CA. But, the lipsticks and lip glosses in our study are common brands available in stores everywhere. Based upon our findings, a larger, more thorough survey of lip products—and cosmetics in general—is warranted.”

The Berkeley study found that women who are frequent lipstick users risk overexposure of lead as well as exposure to chromium, aluminum, cadmium, and manganese—all of which have toxic implications for women, particularly if they’re pregnant or nursing.

Among the top 20 offenders, according to the study, are some of the leading brands: Cover Girl, L’Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon, Avon, and Sonia Kashuk. Burt’s Bees, a long-time natural brand favorite, which is now owned by Clorox, also appeared on the list with its lip shimmer.

Want to avoid toxic heavy metals in your lipstick? Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database for safe alternatives. Or, make your own.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: zitona

The post Kiss Me Lead: Leading Lipstick Brands Contain High Levels of Lead appeared first on EcoSalon.

The tens of thousands of albatross chicks who have been sickened or killed by lead-based paint can’t exactly walk into a courtroom and stand up for themselves – so an environmental group is doing it for them.

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to clean up lead-contaminated paint on buildings at a former U.S. Navy base on the Midway atoll, which is the most important breeding site for the Laysan albatross.

Up to 10,000 chicks are killed each year by lead poisoning, says the center, citing a study published last October. Many more albatross chicks are affected by neurological conditions like “˜droopwing’, in which the chick is no longer able to lift its wings. This condition, which makes flying impossible, often causes the affected chicks to die of starvation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service took over responsibility for the Midway atoll, located near Hawaii, in 1996. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, FWS stopped maintaining 95 military buildings coated with layers of lead-based paint which are now chipping off and being eaten by the chicks.

In fact, confused albatross parents even feed such inedible debris to their chicks. Photographer Chris Jordan documented the consequences of this unfortunate habit in a series of troubling images depicting albatross remains filled with bits of plastic. The shocking photos illustrate the effects that human civilization can have upon the natural world.

The center alleges that in failing to clean up the lead paint, the Fish and Wildlife Service is violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endangered Species Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery. The Laysan albatross is listed as a “vulnerable species” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Image: Kristin McCully/Midway Coral Reef

The post The Chicks Aren’t All Right appeared first on EcoSalon.

Much has been written about the benefits of creating an edible garden. It’s good for your health, your wallet, and for the environment. But as this recent article in the New York Times points out, urban gardeners really need to be aware of what’s in the soil they are using to grow their vegetables and fruits. (See our post on testing your soil.)

Information collected since 2003 shows that in many big cities there are hazardous amounts of lead in backyard and community gardens.

This is putting gardeners at risk of double exposure to lead poisoning  – initially during the gardening process and later when consuming the fruits  (and vegetables) of their labour.

While any area is potential tainted with lead, it is primarily the older housing areas (pre-1978), areas close to old orchards and areas near heavily trafficked roadways that are at greatest risk of high levels of lead in the soil.

What’s a concerned urban gardener to do?

Find out how to get the soil tested for lead levels by contacting your local city council or government department.

Minimize the lead risk by following these good gardening practices recommended by the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Massachusetts:

1. Locate gardens away from old painted structures and heavily-travelled roads.
2. Give planting preferences to fruiting crops (tomatoes, squash, peas, sunflowers, corn, etc.).
3. Incorporate organic materials such as finished compost, humus and peat moss.
4. Lime soil as recommended by soil test (pH 6.5 minimizes lead availability).
5. Discard old and outer leaves before eating leafy vegetables. Peel root crops. Wash all produce.
6. Keep dust to a minimum by maintaining a mulched and/or moist soil surface.

Image: jfeuchter

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