Claire's Makeup: Asbestos Found in Kids Cosmetics

Claire's stores pulled some kids makeup because of asbestos concerns by a Rhode Island mother whose 6-year-old daughter wears cosmetics.

Kristina Warner, who works at a law firm specializing in asbestos litigation, became concerned about the makeup her daughter was using and decided to have it tested, WPRI-TV reported.

Warner told WPRI-TV that the test from the Scientific Analytical Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina showed her daughter's glitter makeup, purchased from Claire's retail chain, came back positive for asbestos.

Attorney John Deaton told the television station that when additional testing was done they found that 17 samples of makeup from Claire's stores in nine different states, including eye shadows, blushes and compact powders, "all tested positive at alarming rates. This clearly is not an isolated incident.”

Claire’s pulled the products.

"We work closely with our vendors to ensure our products are tested and assessed in line with the relevant country regulations and guidelines," a Claire's representative told WPRI-TV. "As a result of today's inquiry from WPRI-TV, we have taken the precautionary measure of pulling the items in question from sale, and will be conducting an immediate investigation into the alleged issues. Once we have more information and have the results of the investigation we will take the necessary action."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asbestos is the commercial name for a variety of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals that possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance.

"When handled, asbestos can separate into microscopic-size particles that remain in the air and are easily inhaled," the CDC said. "Persons occupationally exposed to asbestos have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma."

Claire's markets to children, teenagers, and young women in 47 countries, selling earrings, jewelry, and accessories, according to AL.com.

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