MANILA, Philippines–A watchdog group against consumer products containing toxic substances on Tuesday warned the public against two lipstick brands found to contain dangerously high levels of lead.

EcoWaste Coalition said it found five tubes of lipstick of the Baolishi and Monaliza brands to be contaminated with lead in the range of 2,204 parts per million to 2,487 ppm, which is way above the 20 ppm threshold for lead under Asean cosmetics guidelines.

The lipstick was being sold for P28 to P35 each in Quiapo, Manila, stores selling beauty and personal care products.

EcoWaste Coalition coordinator Aileen Lucero said many people might be prompted to buy the cheap lipstick for Halloween costumes.

“The ghastly lead content of these lipsticks should scare the hell out of all of us,” Lucero said, pointing out that children and pregnant women were more vulnerable to lead exposure.

EcoWaste said the five lipstick tubes found with high lead content were Baolishi no. 20, 2-in-1 lipstick in old rose canister with 2,419 ppm lead; Baolishi no. 20, 2-in-1 lipstick in golden canister with 2,394 ppm lead; Baolishi no. 20 lipstick in yellow canister with 2,361 ppm lead; Monaliza no. 20 lipstick in green canister with 2,298 ppm lead; and Monaliza no. 20 lipstick in black canister with 2,274 ppm lead.–Dona Z. Pazzibugan