Lead paint creates serious health risks, but this ad is from 1939, when lead in paint was normal. Many countries phased in bans starting in the 1970s or 80s, mandating lower and lower concentrations over time, or restricting permissible uses, or both. Some countries still allow unrestricted use of lead paint in 2026.
Lead exposure is very bad for anyone, especially children. Unlike certain other toxins, there's no known safe level of exposure, and it bioaccumulates. There are many other routes into the body besides paint, and some are associated with increased crime rates and intellectual deficits in children.
Oh, fuck, I remember those. I didn't realize those were plastic.
Most toothpaste contains silica as an abrasive. I'm not aware of any toothpaste products that added plastic microbeads, but a lot of women's body and face washing products did.
they use marble dust. The plastic beads were stopped because people complained of gum soreness.
Another one that's new to me, unless marble dust counts as "silica" which is what's listed on the ingredients of my toothpaste.
There were definitely some.
I am now aware of some toothpaste products that added microbeads.