Dear Editor,
I want to publish my view through columns of your leading newspaper in Kashmir on use of cosemetics. Below mentioned are my views on the subject:-
Toxic Truth Behind Cosmetics
Behind the shimmer and glamour of cosmetics lies a deeply troubling reality: the silent presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), better known as “forever chemicals.” These synthetic compounds are widely used in beauty products to make them waterproof, long-lasting, and smudge-proof. Their extraordinary persistence means they neither break down in the environment nor leave the human body easily. Instead, they accumulate, with mounting scientific evidence linking them to cancers, suppressed immunity, hormonal disruption, pregnancy complications, and developmental disorders in children. A landmark 2021 study revealed PFAS in over half of 231 cosmetics tested in North America—82% of waterproof mascaras, 63% of foundations, and 62% of liquid lipsticks—yet almost none listed these chemicals on their labels. Alarmingly, many of these same products are freely available in India. Independent analysis shows at least 26 such products being sold to Indian consumers, including teenagers and pregnant women. However, unlike several other countries, India has no specific regulation banning or even restricting PFAS use in cosmetics. This regulatory vacuum leaves millions of citizens exposed to hidden, avoidable risks without informed consent.Cosmetics are not essential goods like medicines; they are products of aspiration and vanity. When such non-essential products conceal harmful, undisclosed chemicals, the moral responsibility on regulators and corporations becomes even greater. India urgently needs three measures: mandatory ingredient disclosure, strict regulation of PFAS in cosmetics, and independent government testing of products already on the market.
VijayKumar H K
[email protected]
Raichur, Karnataka
Environmentalist
