Toxic "Forever Chemicals" Found In Top Makeup Brands: Study Finds

WASHINGTON: High amounts of toxic "forever chemicals" are commonly utilised in cosmetics produced by major brands in the United States and Canada, according to a new study that examined the chemicals in hundreds of cosmetics goods.

Following the release of a new study, the "No PFAS in Cosmetics Act" was introduced in the US House and Senate on Tuesday.

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Over half of 231 cosmetic and personal care samples had “high” amounts of organic fluorine, a biomarker of PFAS, according to the peer-reviewed study which was published in Environmental Science & Technology. Lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, concealer, lip balm, blush, nail polish and other cosmetics are included.

The highest levels chemical were found in foundations (63 percent), waterproof mascara (82 percent) and long-lasting lipstick (62 percent).

Furthermore, the study discovered that 88 percent of the tested goods failed to reveal any substances that would explain the chemical markers on their labels, despite the fact that the US Food and Drug Administration requires that they do so.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of roughly 9,000 chemicals used to manufacture products such as food packaging, clothing and carpeting water and stain resistant. They're termed "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally and have been proven to build up in humans.

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Cancer, birth defects, liver illness, thyroid disease, poor immunity, hormone disruption and a variety of other major health concerns have been associated to the substances at certain amounts.

According to Tom Bruton, a senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute and one of the study's authors, researchers were surprised by the high number of items containing the harmful chemical.

Individual PFAS chemicals were found in four to thirteen different categories of products that were tested. Cosmetics from dozens of brands were tested including L'Oréal, Ulta, Mac, Cover Girl, Clinique, Maybelline, Smashbox, Nars, Estée Lauder and others.

However, because the scientists did not want to "pick on" the companies involved the study did not specify which brands utilise the harmful substances. Because it is unclear whose companies use PFAS, the Guardian was unable to contact them for comment.

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