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More than half of all major brand-name lipsticks may contain lead according to recent tests conducted by an independent laboratory.

Thirty-three brand-name red lipsticks were purchased in Boston, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Hartford, Connecticut and tested for lead. 61 percent of these contained lead in detectable amounts. One-third of the lipsticks tested contained lead in concentrations higher than 0.1 ppm (the cutoff point set by the FDA for lead in candy).

According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, lead in lipstick is just as directly ingested into the body as lead in candy. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that has been shown to cause mental damage. It is particularly dangerous to a developing organism and can cross the placenta, placing children and pregnant women at very high risk.

The brands with the highest lead concentrations were L’Oreal’s Colour Riche “True Red” and “Classic Wine.” Next came Cover Girl’s Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red” and Dior Addict’s “Positive Red”.

Tests show it is possible to make lipstick without lead. Thirty-nine percent of lipsticks tested had no detectable levels of lead and cost doesn’t seem to be a factor. Some less expensive brands such as Revlon ($7.49) had no detectable levels of lead, and the more expensive Dior Addict brand ($24.50) had higher levels.

Lead in cosmetics is particularly dangerous because daily use can cause the toxins to build up in the body.

Repeated, daily exposures to low levels of lead will add up. They add up in addition to lead from paint and drinking water.