Asbestos; a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral, has recently been found in your local Claire’s and Justice retail stores, by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).  These are mineral deposits that originate from metamorphic rocks, found in the western side of the United States. On the week of March 12, 2019, it was confirmed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that the company-branded compact powder, eyeshadow and contouring kits had tested positive for asbestos.

A statement said by Claire’s now said it is recalling those same products “out of an abundance of caution” after testing “indicated the possible presence of asbestos fibers in product samples from one lot of each product,” according to the Washington Post.

These materials contaminated are Claire’s Eye Shadows – Batch No/Lot No: 08/17, Claire’s Compact Powder – Batch No/Lot No: 07/15, Claire’s Contour Palette – Batch No/Lot No: 04/17. These products were sold between October 2016 and March 2019. Then, these products were pulled off the shelves by various stores scattered across the country. Shockingly enough, this isn’t the first time these contaminants have been found in their cosmetics. As of 2017, 2018, and 2019, their cosmetics have been thought to be contaminated with this cancer causing material.

“As a former consumer of Justice and Claire’s cosmetics, I am shocked that they would have such harmful substance in their products,” junior Magan Leitermann said. “It makes me think of the makeup that I used when I was younger and what was really in it.”

Now that this news has become prevalent to the public, citizens across America have rising concerns for the safety of their children and siblings.

“I am mortified at the fact that such a big corporation for children’s cosmetics has allowed this to happen,”  junior Mina Maroof said. “To put such a contaminate in cosmetics, then display it on shelves for sales.”

Although, as of today, there have been no reports of any injuries or illness associated with the recall of these products, the company said it would also be removing any remaining talc-based products left.

If you may have purchased these cosmetic products in the past, you should dispose of them as soon as possible so the household isn’t at risk. If anyone you know owns these products but does not know the dangers of asbestos you should alert them. Asbestosis symptoms may include shortness of breath, tightness in your chest, persistent dry cough, chest pain, appetite loss, finger clubbing (enlarged fingertips) and nail deformities.

This isn’t the company’s first mishap with the CDC. Back in 2017, the CDC told Justice and Claire’s stores to recall their products due to the possible contamination of asbestos. Due to the failure to comply with the center of disease control, they continued to sell their products.

“I feel it’s unjustly wrong to the children experimenting with makeup,” junior Daniela Catalano said. “It’s unfair that the company knows what’s in the cosmetics, yet they are still selling to the public.”

On the bright side of all of this, it’s relieving to the public that this controversy towards contaminated products has finally ended.