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Test finds asbestos in Claire's makeup products

Posted at 8:40 AM, Mar 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-14 08:40:13-04

A consumer alert for parents with teen and tween girls! A new study on makeup found three products sold at Claire's had high levels of asbestos.

The store is calling the tests "unreliable" and is standing behind its products, but this is certainly something to think about if you let your teen or young daughter put on a little lipstick or blush. 

The test was done by consumer watchdog group U.S. PIRG. They tested 15 makeup products containing talc, which is commonly used in makeup and can contain asbestos. Of the 15 products tested, U.S. PIRG says three contained high levels of asbestos, and all three came from Claire's.

"It's completely unacceptable to have asbestos in these products," explained U.S. PIRG employee Danny Katz. "Asbestos if you inhale it or ingested it can lead to lung cancer, it can lead to mesothelioma, which is cancer of the internal organs, and if you apply it over skin over time it can also increase the risk of skin cancer."

In a statement, Clarie's called the tests done by U.S. PIRG "obsolete and unreliable." They went on to say, "We want to assure our customers that all of our products are safe and asbestos-free."

Clarie's did pull several items after independent lab tests found asbestos contamination, but the company later said further testing revealed no asbestos.