Cadmium is used in certain products as a color pigment (particularly in yellow and orange shades), however, a recent study found measurable amounts of cadmium in all lipsticks colors and brands tested.
Several other studies found that some of the lipsticks contain cadmium in higher levels than recommended. One study in particular found that cadmium concentrations in most samples exceeded the FDA’s acceptable limit of 3mg/kg.
Cadmium is a HIGHLY toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the body, primarily affecting kidneys, bones, hormones, heart and lungs. Because it has a long half-life, chronic, low-level exposure can lead to severe health problems over time.
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM:
KIDNEY DAMAGE: The kidneys are the primary site of cadmium accumulation, where the metal can remain for DECADES. This causes damage to the kidney tubules, leading to the excretion of proteins and sugars into the urine (Fanconi’s syndrome). Over time, this causes a reduction of kidney filtration and can lead to chronic kidney disease.
BONE DISEASE: Cadmium disrupts the body’s metabolism of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D, which are essential for bone health. This can lead to: 1) Osteoporosis (a condition characterized by reduced bone mass and density, which increases the risk of fractures); 2) Osteomalacia (softening of the bones); and/or 3) Itai-itai disease (first identified in Japan, this extremely painful disease is a severe form of bone and kidney damaged caused by high cadmium exposure).
LUNG DISEASE: Long-term cadmium exposure can cause irreversible lung damaged caused, including emphysema and other obstructive airway diseases. The risk is elevated for smokers and workers in factories.
CANCER: Cadmium is classified as a known human carcinogen and chronic exposure is strongly linked to an increased risk of lung, kidney, prostate and bladder cancers.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM DAMAGE: Cadmium can cause reproductive dysfunction. While its full impact on pregnancy is still under investigation, some studies found a link between high cadmium levels in mothers and low infant birth rate.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH: Cadmium negatively affects the heart by increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis, primarily through mechanisms like oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruption of calcium homeostasis. Even low levels of chronic cadmium exposure, often from environmental sources, can lead to significant damage to cardiac tissue and increase the overall burden of cardiovascular disease.
HORMONE DISRUPTION: Cadmium, an endocrine disruptor, primarily affects hormones by mimicking estrogen and interfering with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. It binds to estrogen receptors, can alter gonadotropin hormone secretion, and disrupts ovarian and testicular function, leading to hormone imbalances. Cadmium also impairs steroid hormone synthesis and function by affecting enzymes and receptors in steroid production, and influences thyroid hormone levels.
PCOS AND ANDROGENS:
Blood cadmium concentrations have been linked to higher levels of total testosterone and androstenedione, as well as higher AMH, which are markers associated with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PMID: 39654776, 26190304