This Halloween, BAN Toxics would like to remind everyone to be careful of toxic chemicals that are hiding in your Halloween make-up.
FORMALDEHYDE: Refrain from using products with formaldehyde or “formalin”. Acute exposure to the chemical will lead to eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. It is also known to cause cancer.
Formaldehyde is usually found in glue.
TALC AND ASBESTOS: Using cosmetic products with talc may put you at risk of being exposed to asbestos. Since talc is a mineral that forms in the ground near asbestos, there is a huge chance of it being contaminated by the mineral. Continued exposure to asbestos may cause cancer and mesothelioma.
Talc is a common ingredient in blush, face powder, and eye shadow.
LEAD AND CADMIUM: Make sure to use safe and non-toxic face paints. Studies have shown that 30% of tested face paint products include cadmium, and 20% also had lead content.
Lead is a toxic, heavy metal that is associated with learning disabilities and development problems.
Cadmium is a known carcinogenic and has been linked to breast, kidney, lung, and prostate cancer.
MERCURY: Beware of cosmetic products with mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric, or mercutio. These are all substitute names for the highly toxic mercury chemical. Mercury is a neurotoxin and may cause damages to the nervous system.
Protect yourselves from these toxic substances! Be extra careful of what you put on your faces.
Resources:
[1] https://www.100percentpure.com/blogs/feed/tips-for-a-non-toxic-halloween
[2] https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Face-Paints-Makeup-Toxic-Ingredients.aspx
[3] https://www.detox.design/blog/Safe-makeup-Halloween-costumes-holiday-fun
[4] https://www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury