Toxic lead found in children’s face painting sets

TOXIC lead has been found in children’s face painting kits here, while mercury and other poisons have been detected in various cosmetics.

The discoveries were made in tests on products randomly selected by environmental health officers from shops, seized by revenue officials or reported to health authorities.

In one laboratory in Galway last year, 26 make-up samples were found to contain lead, three toothpastes had diethylene glycol, a chemical similar to antifreeze, and five creams and soaps contained dangerous levels of a controversial skin lightener hydroquinone.