In a way I hate to make this post, but in another way I was happy to know this information so maybe you will be too. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) are the people behind the studies I published this summer on Nonchalant Mom on the safety of sunscreens (click here to see the blog), now they are reporting on some of the things we commonly use for Halloween and the actual safety of those items.
FACE PAINTING - EWG tested 10 face paints and out of the 10 all 10 contained lead ranging from 0.05 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm). Experts say that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that parents avoid using cosmetics on their children that could be contaminated with lead. Furthermore, 6 out of 10 products contained the potent allergens nickel, chromium and/or cobalt at levels ranging from 1.6 to 120 ppm – far above the safety recommendations of industry studies.
click here to find out more and to download the report.
There are a few recipes that they recommend so that you can make the face paints yourself, but test them first on yourself to make sure they will not be 1) allergic and 2) stain your kids skin. Do not substitute synthetic food coloring for natural food coloring. Click here to find recipes and more information.
You could also use Rose Marie Swift makeup as it is completely non-toxic and is food grade (you could actually EAT it). Click here to visit her website for more information.
More suggestions from EWG:
1) choose makeup carefully
2) no hairspray
3) burn beeswax candles or candles without the metal wire in the wick. Traditional paraffin-wax candles are made from petroleum by-products
4) don't wear synthetic face masks or teeth.
5) choose treats that you would like your kids to have!
6) create a low impact costume, make one yourself or re-use or swap with friends.
click here to visit our Halloween contest winners from last year! Some great inspiration!!
Boo!
