I thought that the endless e-mails I received about the subject were ‘urban legends’until I came across this site today that re-opens the subject for me.

SafeCosmetics.org posted a press release that states lipstick manufactured in the United States and used daily by millions of American women contains surprisingly high levels of lead, according to new product tests released today by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The lead tests were conducted by an independent laboratory over the month of September on red lipsticks bought in Boston, Hartford, Conn., San Francisco and Minneapolis. Top findings include:More than half of 33 brand-name lipsticks tested (61 percent) contained detectable levels of lead, with levels ranging from 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm). None of these lipsticks listed lead as an ingredient.

One-third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 0.1 ppm limit for lead in candy – a standard established to protect children from directly ingesting lead. Lipstick products, like candy, are directly ingested into the body. Nevertheless, the FDA has not set a limit for lead in lipstick, which fits with the disturbing absence of FDA regulatory oversight and enforcement capacity for the $50 billion personal care products industry.

The good news is that the tests show it is possible to make lipstick without lead: 39 percent of lipsticks tested had no detectable levels of lead, and cost doesn’t seem to be a factor. Some less expensive brands such as Revlon ($7.49) had no detectable levels of lead, while the more expensive Dior Addict brand ($24.50) had higher levels than some other brands.

Among the top brands testing positive for lead were:

-L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red” – 0.65 ppm
-L’Oreal Colour Riche “Classic Wine” – 0.58 ppm
-Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red” – 0.56 ppm
-Dior Addict “Positive Red” – 0.21 ppm

Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and increased aggression. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development. Lead has also been linked to infertility and miscarriage.

“Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure,” said Mark Mitchell, M.D., MPH, president, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice.

The Mrozek quintuplets continue to improve in the NICU at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, according to Rory Mrozek, the babies’ father.

Breah, Lainey, Nathan, Matthew and Jackson were born on Oct. 18 to Rory and Jessie Mrozek. At birth the babies weighed between 1 pound, 15 ounces and 2 pounds, 10 ounces. Doctors gave them a 95% chance of survival at birth because they were in utero for almost 28 weeks.

Two weeks ago 4 of the babies were taken off their ventillators, with the smallest baby Lainey needing just a bit of help.

The children are now eating 10-25 ccs (about one-third to eight-tenths of an ounce) every three hours, the couple said. That’s increased from about 1 cc every eight hours shortly after birth. Doctors are using a combination of Jessie Mrozek’s breast milk and nutritional and calorie supplements, they said.

Once they are able to take all feeds by mouth, doctors will start to plan their discharge.

I am really impressed at how well these 5 are doing. I hope this couple has their room set up. It sounds like it won’t be long until the babies are home.

Related Articles:

UPDATE:Minnesta Quintuplets Doing Well
Minnesota Mom Gives Birth To Quintuplets
Remaining Soldani Sextuplets Doing Well

SOURCE

Christina’s son was six days early and Teresa’s daughter was 11 days late.

At 7 lbs. 3 oz. Jake Waddell came into the world at 2:28 p.m. Tuesday, November 6. His cousin, Caelyn Elizabeth, weighed 8 lbs. and was born at 3:23 p.m.

Grandparents Steven and Linda Rosbert couldn’t be happier.

“It feels great. I’m retired, so I’m going to be babysitting when they go back to work. So hands full, but I love it,” said Linda.

SOURCE

Friends and family, including her WAT co-stars, feasted on sweets like cupcakes, milkshakes and chocolate crackles, which satisfied some of Poppy’s cravings. “If I had my way I’d eat M&M’s, ice cream and caramel for every meal but my doctor won’t allow it!” the 32-year-old tells OK!

The couple is expecting a boy next month.

SOURCE:OKMAGAZINE
PHOTOCREDIT:CAROLINE GREYSHOCK via OK MAGAZINE