Posted on March 13, 2018

Press Release: U.S. PIRG: “Asbestos Found in Claire’s Kids Makeup
U.S. PIRG: “Asbestos Found in Claire’s Kids Makeup” Report 

Today, United States Public Interest Research Group (U.S PIRG), a group well-known to advocate for the public interest, released a report that new studies show asbestos contamination in Claire’s makeup products sold nationally. Late last year, media reports claimed that some children’s make-up contains asbestos. U.S. PIRG decided to investigate independently, and complete their own testing. Using STAT Analysis Corporation, an independent laboratory that is accredited for asbestos testing, PIRG tested over a dozen makeup products from a variety of stores. They found three products containing asbestos (tremolite), and these products are sold by Claire’s.

The negative health effects of asbestos have been known for more than a century. Asbestos can be found in talc, a common ingredient in cosmetics, particularly sparkly, shimmery or powdery makeup. Without a ban, asbestos remains lethal and legal today and can be found in consumer products, cosmetics, building materials, and raw asbestos for the CI industry to name but a few. Occupational exposure led to the confirmation that asbestos is a carcinogen. Inhaling or ingesting any form of asbestos can lead to serious health conditions.

The World Health Organization states, “All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans. Exposure to asbestos, including chrysotile, causes cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovaries, and also mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings). Asbestos exposure is also responsible for other diseases such as asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs), and plaques, thickening and effusion in the pleura.”

In rebuttal, Claire’s released a statement assuring customers that all products have been tested, and are asbestos-free. They deny that the testing by STAT is accurate, yet they offer no evidence of this bold statement. They claim that there have been tests conducted in independent laboratories, in the USA and Europe, yet we don’t have any publications or reports that support their results. For testing, Claire’s used the Health Canada and the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, in which there appears to be no public testing results to support their claim. ADAO supports U.S. PIRG and we take their results seriously, and here’s why:

  1. U.S. PIRG is known to fight for real problems that affect millions of lives, standing up for the public against powerful interests when they push the other way. “Non-partisan, fact-driven, results-oriented approach to their work”, as claimed on their website.
  2. STAT Analysis Corporation, located in the U.S., is known for rapid and accurate analytical testing, with quality assurance and control measures in place.
  3. STAT Analysis Corporation has a long list of accreditations, as a testing facility, including an EPA accreditation: See the following links:
    1. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP)
    2. ORELAP for Air Toxics including EPA Method 3C, TO-13, TO-14, and TO-15 analysis
    3. AIHA-LAP, LLC Accredited
    4. NVLAP Accredited
  4. U.S. PIRG released the lab test results and methodology used by STAT, giving public access to the results and methods used.

While an investigation and repetitive testing is expected, ADAO is urging Claire’s to immediately recall the three products: Claire’s Contour Palette, Claire’s Shadow and Highlight Finishing Kit, and Claire’s Compact Powder (White).

If you are outraged and angry like I am, I encourage you to do five simple things now.

  1. Turn your anger into action.
  2. United with U.S. PIRG and ADAO.
  3. Vote with your dollars.
  4. Sign and support the The Children’s Product Warning Label Act of 2018 (H.R. 4964) petition. 
  5. Call your Member of Congress and urge them to cosponsor The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act.

Enough!

Linda Reinstein

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