Minnesota bans mercury in cosmetics
Minnesota is soon to become the first state in the nation to ban intentionally-added mercury in eye makeup, including mascara and eye liner, with fines of $700 for retailers and up to $10,000 for manufacturers who violate the law.This change will make Minnesota's laws tougher than the federal government on this issue. Enforcement will happen when customers complain and is mainly intended as a warning to manufacturers.
According to John Bailey, chief scientist with the Personal Care Products Association, mercury is added "at very low levels, and for good reason." Federal law allows eye products to contain up to 65 parts per million of mercury. Mercury is added as a preservative.
To check your current eye makeup or find new, safer ones, see the Environmental Working Group's cosmetics safety database, Skin Deep.
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