Fears of Mesothelioma Spark Legislative Action

In response to concerns about kids’ makeup raising the risk of malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has introduced legislation requiring that all makeup products that are marketed to children be free of asbestos or carry a warning alerting parents of the presence of the carcinogenic material.

Asbestos is a mineral that was determined to be carcinogenic, and the single known cause of malignant mesothelioma.

Dingell’s actions come after revelations that Claire’s and other retailers were selling pre-teen and adolescent makeup products that were contaminated with the mesothelioma-causing materials.  Though the company took 17 of these products out of circulation after the news broke, Dingell is sponsoring the Children’s Product Warning Label Act of 2018 to prevent the risk from arising again.

“Parents across the country should have the peace of mind in knowing that the cosmetics they buy for their children are safe. Yet we were all stunned when the retailer Claire’s pulled 17 products from their shelves after asbestos was found in cosmetics marketed to children, including glitter and eye shadow,” Dingell said. “No child should be exposed to asbestos through the use of common, everyday products.”

Previously, asbestos has been found in other children’s toys, including a detective kit and crayons.

Should the new law pass, it will protect children from the risk of mesothelioma by guarding against their exposure to asbestos from toys and other products marketed towards them.

It would also require all cosmetics marketed to children whose manufacturers have not attested in writing to them being asbestos free to carry a warning label that it had not been evaluated for asbestos contamination.

The law would also require that in order for a product containing talc to be certified as having come from an asbestos-free mine, their products would have to have been inspected using transmission electron microscopy.

Even a small amount of asbestos exposure can lead to malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If you or someone you love has been exposed to this deadly mineral and you need more information about what to do, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today.

Call us today at 1-800-692-8608.

Written by Terri Oppenheimer

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Terri believes that knowledge is power and she is committed to sharing news about the impact of mesothelioma, the latest research and medical breakthroughs, and victims’ stories.

Learn more about and contact Terri