Kids love to use face paint to make their Halloween look even more frightening, but a new report suggests that parents may have reasons to fear some products sold for children this Halloween.
The report was released this week by the nonprofit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, according to the New York Post. All ten Halloween face paints tested in the group’s research contained one or more toxic chemicals.
In fact, lead was found in all of the face paints. Lead is a notoriously poisonous substance, with exposures linked to serious reproductive health problems, lowered IQ, and other developmental and neurological health issues. Other chemicals found in the children’s cosmetics included nickel, cobalt and/or chromium.
In response t the findings, Senator Charles Schumer of New York stated that parents should be warned about the products, and he urged stronger federal rules to protect children from products containing toxic chemicals.
Schumer noted that packaging does not indicate to consumers that the products may contain the toxic chemicals. At a press briefing, he displayed products from Halloween retailers including Rubie’s Costume Company, Wet N’ Wild Fantasy Makers, and Fun World.
Schumer has asked the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates cosmetics, to establish guidelines for warning labels on products with toxic chemicals.
He also noted that parents should be especially concerned about imported face paints and other children’s cosmetics from China, noting that products on store shelves are often not tested for safety.