Is there asbestos in your daughter’s cosmetic products?
When you take your daughter shopping for cosmetics, you probably assume that the products are safe for use. Unfortunately, there have been recent incidents in which retailers have had to pull make-up products from the shelves because of concerns about asbestos.
Here are some things you should know to keep you and your daughter safe while purchasing cosmetics.
Recent discoveries about asbestos in cosmetics
This past summer, a laboratory discovered that Justice, a well-known retail store for young girls, sold makeup products that contained asbestos. When this hazard was made known, the company pulled the products from their stores immediately. But the incident raised serious concerns about the safety of children’s cosmetic products, as we discussed in a post at the time.
These concerns were justified. Just a few days ago, a North Carolina lab discovered that 17 make-up products marketed towards young girls at Claire’s, another retail store, contained tremolite asbestos. USA Today and other news outlets reported on the continuing problems surrounding asbestos in cosmetic products that pose a threat to consumers.
How this may affect your daughter’s health
Because it is unknown how long these problematic cosmetics were on the market, they could potentially affect your daughter’s health. Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and other devastating asbestos-related diseases. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.
One way to see if your cosmetics contain asbestos is by simply reading the ingredients. Though you may not know which ingredients are toxic, websites available to consumers, such as http://www.ewg.org/, can tell you if your cosmetic products are safe for use.
In short, regardless of what actions the FDA may take, there are steps you can take to be a more informed consumer of cosmetics. In addition, if you fear you or someone you love suffered toxic exposure, you can discuss your situation with an attorney experienced in handling cases of asbestos-related disease.