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Washington State Study Discovers Formaldehyde and Heavy Metals in Cosmetics

Cosmetic & Personal Care Product Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	3/15/2023
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Washington State Study Discovers Formaldehyde and Heavy Metals in Cosmetics
Introduction	EMSL Analytical provides heavy metal, microbial and chemical testing services to identify exposure risks in cosmetics, personal care products and other consumer goods.
Seattle, Washington, March 15, 2023 In January, the Washington State Department of Ecology published a report that investigated the possible presence of lead and other heavy metals in lipstick and examined body lotions and hair products with preservatives that could release formaldehyde. Researchers also tested dark-tinted powder foundations for both formaldehyde and heavy metals. The report, Chemicals in Cosmetics Used by Washington Residents, was requested by the state legislature as it considers a bill that would ban cancer-causing chemicals in these types of beauty products. For it, the Department of Ecology purchased 50 cosmetic products from major retailers and had them tested. Formaldehyde was discovered in 26 out of the 30 body lotions and hair products. Lead, greater than 1 ppm, was detected in two dark-tint powder foundations and one lipstick. One dark-tint powder foundation had a lead concentration of 5.5 ppm and an arsenic concentration of 2.1 ppm. “When most people use cosmetics they don’t think they are exposing themselves to lead, arsenic or formaldehyde, but that can be the case as this recent study shows,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Researchers in Washington are now looking into cosmetics that may contain asbestos and ortho-phthalates in phase two of their report, which is expected to be completed in June of this year. Yet another area of concern with cosmetics that is not a part of this study is the potential for microbial contamination.” EMSL Analytical, with laboratories across the United States and Canada, offers chemical, heavy metal, asbestos and microbial testing services for cosmetics and personal care products. Testing is available for raw ingredients, production surfaces and finished products. These services not only protect consumers, they also help to keep companies from facing costly product recalls and even potential health and safety violations. To learn more about cosmetic and personal care product testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. About EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.