Heavy metals found in kids' face paints (http://www.canada.com/health/Heavy+metals+found+kids+face+paints/1248092/story.html)

This article was all over the papers today... it's mainly saying that the testing required on face paints isn't as rigorous as it is on children's toys. So far, I've done a little research to find that Snazaroo says that they have gone the extra mile to have their paints tested as safe as toys just in case.... Any other suggestions on how I might manage to combat the probable arguments from parents about this? I've printed out Snazaroo's Safety page to keep with me since the majority of my paints are Snazaroo paints.

Do you think I should contact Snazaroo and see if they have a press release to counter this article at all in stating that their paints do not contain such elements? I mean, I'm just as worried about it as any other mom would be, my kids are painted even more often than most kids.

They don't say specifically which paints they are talking about. It would seem kind of a brazen accusation without giving us a clue of where we should be concerned...I personally use Wolfe Brothers and Paradise. I'm just wondering if they are a concern or not.

I noticed that too... it's probably because they can't charge them when they haven't ACTUALLY done anything wrong... it says that if they were in a different jurisdiction, then it would be unacceptable, but that there aren't the same checks done on cosmetics as children's stuff. I'm guessing that it's probably some cheap no name stuff, but until they could actually charge them on something, it would be considered unlawful to damage their name... something like that.

I wish they'd actually go after all the losers that use craft paint instead of face paint... maybe I should write a letter to the editor or something....

Kind of why I'm thinking I should ask for a statement in response directly from the brands that I use... mostly Snaz, but I just bought a couple of aquacolour metallics today.... I feel fairly safe with the Snazaroo since they say right on their site that they are the only brand that also got tested for child toy safety even though they didn't need to and Kryolan says on their website that whenever possible they try to use food grade products in theirs.

Safety and ingredient copy (http://www.snazaroo.us/safety.htm)

Wouldn't this be good enough?

That's what I've got printed out, just wondering if I should go an extra step and ask for something directly regarding this article?

Yeah, these people really should go after those who use craft paints instead of face paint. Especially when they make an accusation and don't specify which paint. I was just talking to a young lady about face paint at a craft store the other day and she was saying she prefered to use acrylic paint to face paint with. Of course, I told her about the dangers, and she proceeded to tell me that her teacher did a search on the dangers of using these kind of paints and came to the conclusion that they were safe enough. Snazaroo always has been considered safe as Fitzwilly shows, and I used to use Snaz, but I went to Wolfe Brothers and Paradise because I feel they are a step above Snaz, so I would believe that they have the highest standards too. What a shame that a news article can cause so much concern and damage without proper information.

I've contacted both Snaz and Kryolan with regards to this article, hopefully they can give me something official to tell my customers regarding this.

Well, I can report that Snazaroo gave me a very quick response, which is good. However, despite the very friendly and reassuring language of my email, the response seemed a little defensive and basically just said we already post all of our safety information on our website. Oh well, the safety and ingredients page will have to do I guess.
At least I might get a little more from Kryolan? They don't post as much information on their website, so maybe.

I've contacted both Snaz and Kryolan with regards to this article, hopefully they can give me something official to tell my customers regarding this.

KRYOLAN? I've been using Krylon! No runs, no drips, no errors - I've even been remembering to sand between coats.

AND REMEMBER to let the parents know that they can always use turpentine and steel wool to get it off later.....

You are in Canada and they have different standards than the USA. I haven't checked in a while but I remember the issue that use to be with fardel.

Fardel was made in Belgium. They sent some to the US to be sold but it was not through regular channels. I then found out the US would not allow them to be used on children because of different level of safty issues. It was then sold in Canada. Some people then bought it in Canada and brought it back to the US to use. That is the story I got and it was over 10 years ago this occured. I still do not see fardel sold in the US. I don't know if it is canada or not. But it demonstrates the differences between the two countries.

I feel that those products sold to be used on childrens skin in the US have been put through the ringer. I am comfortable using snaz, wolfe, or paradise.

I do wish those using acrilics or poster paint were exposed so we who choose to use the proper products did not have to fade the heat after a child breaks out from the wrong paint.

I have spent a lot of time fretting over this issue. Excuse me while I climb down off my soap box.

I've been chatting with a few other painters here in Canada and I guess the main issue with the article overall is that they are printing it too early... not all the results from this testing are in. Also, as they mentioned, it's about the PROPOSED new guidelines.

The theory from some of the other painters here in Canada is that it's those cheap crayon type face paints that they're talking about and not anything of quality. So, I guess we can actually take this opportunity to further educate the public on the safety of the products that we use.

Pixcoco, I wasn't really laughing at your post where you talked about the GREAT pointers... 8-)

I was laughing about your getting off your soap box...when people have something great to say I usually let them stay on the soap box other wise I wash them in the soap box if they are unknowledgable (sp?) ;)

Great thread and we should really unite about our top quality paint we use! 8-)

Here's the great reply that I got from Kryolan (not that the information from Snazaroo isn't great, just this is in direct response to this article)...

Hello Erin.
Thank you for your recent email inquiry. We are aware of this article and it has
been the subject of many a discussion in the face paint forums. Apparently this
was written by a free lance journalist and is an example of "yellow journalism"
at its best...note that there are no sources and/or companies identified in the
article. It's just a scare story designed to sell papers. Someone in Canada from
the forum did contact Health Canada and was told that this article was from a
leak in their department about an ongoing investigation into one company that
imports a "crayon type" of face paint. It sounds to me like one of the big toy
companies that distributes imports from China.
Rest assured, all Kryolan cosmetics are manufactured under the Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulations that are required for the EU and USA.
All of our cosmetics are in compliance with Health Canada who have been actively
cautious about any cosmetic imports for the past several years.
In addition, our Aquacolor and Fun Faze have been safety-approved according to
the European Toy Regulation and may carry the CE-mark.
Thank you for your concern and taking the time to contact us. Let's hope this
kind of irresponsible reporting doesn't do too much damage to the reputation of
informed professional face painters.
Regards,
Joe Korts
Kryolan USA

Gee,
Just the comment alone. Metals found in kid's face paints is a pretty big wide slap and the entire face paint industry. IMO, the article was was short on having done its homework. My wife Stacy uses Paradice. Now it would be interesting to know if the face paints in question came from China, if indeed china produces face paints, becase a great many children's items, mostly toys, were recalled due to high leavels of lead. We've never had any complaints about the face paints we use either as a staining factor much less a health hazard.

Fishbucket

Hopefully the paper will print a retraction.

Perry, I would contact the newspaper that printed the story and request that they clarify their misleading stories. I'm sure that the face painting co's are also doing this. It would help if you got all your fellow Canadian facepainters to contact the newspapers. I can only imagine how dismayed you are. You have a future in facepainting, You have grown so much in such a short time. I hope the damage this article has done blows over quickly.

Here's an idea: if a parent asks you if it is true that there are heavy metals in facepaint. Make a sad face and say yes and pull out an empty paint can with a few heavy metal rock band CD's such as Metallica. Just a thought.

I did a search after reading this thread and found a similar article. I am going to highlight an interesting suggestion.

Heavy metals found in children's face paint | MNN - Mother Nature Network (http://www.mnn.com/family/education-activities/blogs/heavy-metals-found-in-childrens-face-paint)

So, how can you tell if your child’s face paint contains toxins? One way is to look over the ingredient list on the products package. Better yet, try your hand at making your own face paint so you’ll know exactly what is in them. Just mix a little non-toxic cold cream with cornstarch to the desired consistency. Add a little bit of nontoxic food coloring until the face paint is a few shades darker than you want it. Grab the closest kid and paint away!

Granted this article comes from a "ecofriendly" website but...

wow that would be some GREASY face paint!!! ick!

Hey Perry.........the face painting e-group was talking about the plan to ban anything with lead in it (including stuff at second hand stores) a while back. They went back and forth with it over and over. That's probably why you're getting that type of email. I personally think they're jumping the gun a bit. How many things had lead in them when we were little and we're still here. I remember one time my mom told me that they thought the fuzz on peaches gave kids polio. If the ingriedients are checked out and they say they're safe, I'd just go with it. Take a copy of the safety page from Snaz with you just in case you have worried parents. Heck, you know what they say......kids eat a pound of dirt in their lifetime......

And by the way.........HEY FISHBUCKET!

Punkin