2022 Volume 57 Issue 2 Pages 93-100
An existing leaflet of the first lead-free powder, Misono Oshiroi, shows that the harmlessness of the white powder was certified by Junichiro Shimoyama and Yoshizumi Tahara. This study investigated the history of this white powder and the background of fabrication of lead-free white powder in Japan. Lead was imported from China to Japan around the middle of 5th century, and from then on, it was used as the material for white powder. Lead poisoning caused by white powder containing lead had become a problem and the Home Ministry issued the Control Law in 1900. Misono Oshiroi is the first lead-free white powder in Japan that was produced when the safety of cosmetics became required. The harmlessness of this product was certified by three pharmacologists. This is the first case of a pharmacist being involved in cosmetic quality certification before the Pharmaceutical Affaires Law was enacted.
