Children and illegal production of mica in India

India, children who are at risk snake bites extracting the mineral lipstick, nail polish and toothpaste
 The " Mica " is an essential ingredient that gives tone shiny and bright lipsticks , foundation and many of the make-up products commonly for sale
But do we really know where it comes from this ingredient and what hides behind its production ? Most of the mica used in the world would come from India and would be pulled by children, forced to work in exploitative conditions .

Children exposed to snake bites . Because most of the production of mica is illegal in India , the exploitation of child labor would be just as popular and would be without rules. Children at the age of 12 years, or even less , would work for days dealing with the extraction of mica . The work is hard and dangerous. Children are exposed to attacks by snakes and scorpions bites . The quarries from which is extracted the mineral are frequently subject to collapse. The small exploited workers are exposed to cuts, wounds and abrasions of the skin , as well as respiratory diseases also very serious , such as bronchitis , silicosis and asthma .
For every kilogram of ore mined earn only 5 rupees ( 5 cents) a price in sharp contrast with the earnings guaranteed by the trade ensures that the mica on the international market , which can get up to $ 1,000 per kilo. Around the production of the mineral will be in India ( and perhaps not only ) around a real criminal. Children should attend school are forced to work and subjected to exploitation.

For make-up, toothpastes and varnishes . The exploitation of child labor is the price that the children have to pay because the rich will always have a make-up fashion. It would be interesting to know the names of companies that use mica from India and illegal channels . The mineral is used in cosmetics for its brilliance . The white mica can also be used in toothpaste , for its slight abrasive effect in cleaning the surface of the teeth . It is a common ingredient used not only in the cosmetics industry , but even in the natural one, with particular reference to mineral make-up . Its use also affects gloss and enamels, which gives it color and brightness. Much of this ingredient would come from poorer regions of eastern India .

Eye code " CI 77019 " . The Australian cosmetics company Napoleon Perdis , which comprises the brands MAC , Clinique, Bobbi Brown and Estee Lauder, told The Sydney Morning Herlad that less than 10 % of mica used in their products is of Indian origin and did not believe that their own cosmetics can be associated with child labor. Other cosmetic industry giants such as L' Oreal, Lancome, Redken and Maybelline , The Body Shop and Yves Saint Laurent have refused to answer some questions about the origin of the mica used in cosmetic products. It would therefore be quite difficult to know the actual location of extraction of valuable mineral used in cosmetics. To avoid the mica, it is sufficient to read the ingredients listed on the labels . Its presence may be indicated with the code CI 77019 , or with the term of glimmer , besides simply as mica .