Lead Warning Issued for Lipstick

More than half of all lipsticks tested in a recent study contained some level of lead, a new report warns. The amounts weren't high enough to cause lead poisoning in healthy adults, but could affect small children, raising concerns for pregnant women and mothers. "There are hazardous levels of lead in lipstick," said a representative for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which issued the report.

There is no safe level of lead exposure for children, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.  A third of the 33 lipsticks tested contained lead levels over 0.1 parts per million, which exceeds federal limits for candy. The highest levels were found in lipsticks made by l'Oreal, with 0.65 parts per million, and Cover Girl, with 0.56. (More lipstick stories.)