Hidden Hazards

Lead has been identified by the federal government as the foremost environmental health threat to American children. Nearly one million children still have elevated blood lead levels, over four percent of the population. Now, according to San Francisco's Center for Environmental Health (CEH), infants may be exposed through the most unlikely of sources--medicated baby powders.

Testing conducted by the CEH revealed 10 powders to contain trace amounts of lead (up to three parts per million), under the brand names Ammens, Caldesene, Desitin, Dr. Scholl's, Gold Bond, Johnson & Johnson, Longs, Mexsana and Walgreens. Not that these names should necessarily be taboo to parents. The tests did not actually reveal them to be harmful to children, and several of these same companies also manufacture lead-free, unmedicated powders. The common denominator in all of the ones with detectable levels of lead is the element of medication--the active ingredient zinc oxide, added to treat rashes and minor skin irritation.

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