New research reveals widespread contamination of toothpaste with lead and other toxic metals. Testing of 51 brands, including those for children and marketed as green, found 90% contained lead, 65% arsenic, nearly 50% mercury, and 33% cadmium. Some levels exceeded Washington state limits, though not federal ones, which are criticized as insufficiently protective. Lead exposure risks cognitive damage, kidney harm, heart disease, and cancer. Public awareness of this issue remains low.
Toothpaste widely contaminated with lead and other metals, US research finds
