Not that Halloween isn’t already scary enough, but a new report out this week reveals that most children’s face paints contain lead, a neurotoxin, as well as nickel, cobalt and chromium, which can cause lifelong skin sensitization and contact dermatitis. In the study, 10 out of 10 children’s face paints tested by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics contained low levels of lead (yes, that means ALL of the face paints tested!). There is NO safe level of lead exposure for children, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that parents avoid using cosmetics on their children that could be contaminated with lead.

Children with chronic low blood lead levels may not have obvious symptoms of lead poisoning, but they may have learning and neurological problems as they grow. Further, children with lead poisoning may be smaller in size than children their age who do not have low to moderate levels of lead poisoning. Chronic exposure to lead may also cause behavioral problems in these children. Pretty scary stuff!!!

To read the full report for yourself, follow this link: http://www.womenandenvironment.org/pdf/PrettyScary_Oct2009.pdf