Carcinogens and other harmful chemicals may be present in these foods.
According to a peer-reviewed study conducted by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Earthjustice, a majority of children in the United States use cosmetic and body care products that may contain carcinogens or other harmful substances.
According to a survey that examined over 200 interviews, 79% of parents said their children aged 12 or younger use cosmetic products and body products specifically designed for kids, such as glitter, face paint, and lip gloss.
Prior research has shown that hazardous chemicals such as lead, asbestos, PFAS, and formaldehyde are present in children's makeup and body products. These dangerous chemicals, whether intentionally included or present as contaminants, are especially harmful to infants and children. These chemicals, whether intentionally included or present as contaminants, have been linked to cancer, neurodevelopmental difficulties, and other serious and irreversible health consequences.
Eleanor A. Medley, the co-first author of the study, and Kendall E. Kruchten, both completed their MPHs in environmental health sciences at Columbia Mailman, respectively.
Kruchten believes it is important to investigate how children manipulate makeup and body products to ascertain danger and enhance safety in this situation.
According to a Columbia and Earthjustice study, about 54 percent of the surveyed children use CMBP at least once a month, 12 percent use CMBP daily, about 20 percent use CMBP for eight hours or more at a time, and a third of them reported unintentionally ingesting the products in the last year.
This study comes as several states, such as New York and Washington, are considering strengthening their consumer regulations on toys, makeup, and personal care goods.
Julie Herbstman, Ph.D., professor of environmental health sciences and director of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, believes children are particularly vulnerable to harmful substances like mercury, lead, and lead.
Earthjustice Attorney Lakendra Barajas said the industry is being permitted to sell makeup and body products that are intended for children that are highly toxic. These findings will assist federal agencies in understanding how children are using these products and hopefully encourage agencies to take steps to protect children from toxic chemical exposure.
Eleanor A. Medley, Kendall E. Kruchten, Maricela Ureo, Anabel Cole, Rashmi Joglekar, and Julie B. Herbstman, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 24.01.1923. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032114
The Marisla Foundation provided funding for the research.
