ATB Beauty Reads: Lead in Lipsticks?

I recently read this article in the Time Magazine (Feb 2012 Issue), where it said that the FDA found lead in about 400 of the leading lipsticks in the US Market. 


The brands indicted include Maybelline Colorsensational, Revlon, MAC, Estee Lauder, Clarins, Clinique, Avon, and so many more. The number one lipstick (with maximum lead content) was


1. Maybelline Colorsensational in Pink Petal


Revlon in Matt  Fabulous Fig was #12

You can see the entire list of the 400 lippies by rank here.



The FDA says that that the amount of the toxin found in lipstick poses no risk to consumers, especially since so little of the makeup is actually ingested by wearers.


There is no comparable study available for Indian lipsticks, that I could find for brands like Lakme, Colorbar, Faces etc. 


The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins & Minerals has the following to say on Lead: 
Lead. This stuff is really bad for you, even though your body normally has a tiny amount of it. Even small amounts of extra lead can cause nerve damage, anemia, mental impairment, and muscle weakness. Recent research also ties lead exposure to high blood pressure. Most cases of lead poisoning occur from exposure to lead-based paint and air pollution. Young children are especially at risk.


Would I now stop wearing lipsticks? 


Ohh no! Lisa Eldridge works with them all the time, and doesn't seem the least bit kooky to me. Ok, I'm kidding. But on a serious note....


I'm honestly not sure what to make of this study coz the FDA says that the lead content in the lipstick poses no risk. 


But I would ask all those of you who have babies/pets in the house to not leave lipsticks lying around/ open/ unattended, should they mistakenly eat some of it. (You know how babies are, they want to eat everything :-p)


And I do think it is high time it became mandatory for Indian cosmetics to list full ingredients.


What do you girls think? 


What changes would you like to bring in the regulations for Indian Cosmetics?