Nothing is more terrifying than the reality of your child being exposed to a chemical proven to have life-altering side effects.
Recently, the news team at WTVD, an ABC station in Durham, North Carolina, reported that its investigation into the ingredients of cosmetics aimed at tweens has revealed frightening results about a product sold at Justice, a national retail chain selling girls’ apparel.
It has been discovered by the Scientific Analytical Institute in Greensboro that the “Just Shine Shimmer Powder” sold nation-wide tested positive for asbestos.
What is Asbestos?
According to the National Cancer Institute, “asbestos is the name given to six minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads for use in commercial and industrial applications. These fibers are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and do not conduct electricity.”
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
The Director of Research and Analytical Services, Sean Fitzgerald, made this statement to the news station:
“In this powder designed for children, they could die an untimely death in their 30s or 40s because of the exposure to asbestos in this product.” Fibers like this get into your breathing zone, and when you inhale, these fibers can get into the lung and go to the very bottom of the lung, and that is exactly where you have the greatest likelihood of asbestos to cause disease. Children should not be allowed to breathe it. If a 10-year-old inhaled this fiber today, when he’s 50 years old, it’s still there.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, it can take at least 20 years for malignant mesothelioma to form after asbestos exposure.
There are three major lung conditions traced directly to asbestos exposure:
- Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
According to WTVD’s report:
“Specifically, the lab found tremolite asbestos fibers, which contaminated the talc used in the Just Shine Shimmer Powder. Fitzgerald says the mineral reserve from which the talc was derived should have been tested for contamination; if it had been tested, it never would have been used by the manufacturer because the FDA prohibits asbestos-contaminated talc in cosmetics.”
You can find the station’s full report here.
A spokesperson of Justice has issued a statement:
“Justice is committed to the safety and integrity of our products. Upon receiving the inquiry from WTVD, we immediately began an independent investigation. We cannot speculate regarding the matter until we have more information. Nonetheless, out of an abundance of caution, we have stopped the sale of this product while we investigate.”
What Should You Do?
Just Shine Shimmer Powder is no longer available for sale on the brand’s website, but it has not yet been added to their recalls section yet. Experts are urging parents of children who own the powder to “treat it like a deadly poison, because it is.”
If your child has been or may have been exposed to the Just Shine Shimmer Powder, please contact our office immediately. It is scary enough to think this could have happened to anyone, but it is especially devastating to know that children’s lives are at risk. Here at Brooks Law Group, we are here to help you through this process. Give us a call at 1-800-LAW-3030.
