December 1, 2024

Alarming Findings: Most U.S. Children Use Potentially Toxic Cosmetic and Body Products

These items may consist of carcinogens and other poisonous chemicals.
Makeup and body items have the possible to expose children to lead, asbestos, and other hazardous chemicals.
According to a research study published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, carried out by scientists from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Earthjustice, a bulk of kids in the United States utilize cosmetic and body care products that potentially harbor carcinogens and other hazardous chemicals.
According to the research study which analyzed over 200 studies, 79% of moms and dads reported that their children aged 12 or more youthful use cosmetic products and body products specifically marketed towards kids, such as glitter, face paint, and lip gloss.
Prior research study has shown that these items often have hazardous chemicals, like lead, asbestos, PFAS, phthalates, and formaldehyde in them. Toxic chemicals found in kidss makeup and body products (CMBP), like heavy metals, are specifically damaging to infants and children. These chemicals, whether purposefully included or present as contaminants, have been linked to cancer, neurodevelopmental harm, and other major and irreversible health results.

By International Journal of Environmental Research Study and Public Health
February 28, 2023

” There is increasing proof of harmful active ingredients frequently consisted of in adult cosmetics and CMBPs, and kids are more biologically vulnerable to the impacts of toxicants,” states research study co-first author Eleanor A. Medley, who co-led the research study with Kendall E. Kruchten while both finished their MPHs in environmental health sciences at Columbia Mailman.
” In this context, it is necessary to reveal how makeup and body items are being used by children to define risk and improve safety,” adds Kruchten.
According to the Columbia and Earthjustices study, of the surveyed children, about 54 percent usage CMBP a minimum of month-to-month, 12 percent usage CMBP daily, about 20 percent usage CMBP for eight hours or more at a time, and a 3rd of them reported inadvertently ingesting the items in the in 2015. Over one-third of the surveyed children are Latino and 65 percent of those kids utilize CMBP. Compared to other racial groups, Latino kids reported using CMBP more frequently and more for play.
This study comes as some states, like New York and Washington, think about tightening their consumer regulations around toys, makeup, and individual care products.
” Children are especially vulnerable to adverse health dangers associated with chemicals often found in makeup and body products,” states research study senior author Julie Herbstman, Ph.D., professor of ecological health sciences and director of the Columbia Center for Childrens Environmental Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. “In addition to dermal exposure through the skin, behavioral patterns such as hand-to-mouth activity may increase exposure to items through unintentional intake. In addition, childrens small body size, rapid growth rate, establishing organs and tissues, and immature body immune systems make them biologically susceptible to the impacts of toxicants.”
” It is disconcerting that market is being permitted to offer makeup and body items marketed to children that contain very toxic chemicals. Findings from this research study can help federal agencies better understand how kids are using these items and will ideally stimulate agencies to act to secure kids from poisonous chemical direct exposures,” stated Earthjustice Attorney Lakendra Barajas. “Unfortunately, presently little is being done at the federal level to protect kids from harmful chemicals in childrens makeup and body items.”
Reference: “Usage of Childrens Makeup and Body Products in the United States and Implications for Childhood Environmental Exposures” by Eleanor A. Medley, Kendall E. Kruchten, Miranda J. Spratlen, Maricela Ureño, Anabel Cole, Rashmi Joglekar and Julie B. Herbstman, 24 January 2023, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.DOI: 10.3390/ ijerph20032114.
The study was funded by the Marisla Foundation.

Toxic chemicals found in childrens makeup and body products (CMBP), like heavy metals, are especially harmful to kids and babies. Over one-third of the surveyed children are Latino and 65 percent of those children use CMBP. Findings from this research study can assist federal agencies much better comprehend how kids are utilizing these items and will hopefully spur firms to act to safeguard kids from toxic chemical direct exposures,” said Earthjustice Attorney Lakendra Barajas. “Unfortunately, currently little is being done at the federal level to protect kids from toxic chemicals in kidss makeup and body items.”