Some Statistical Aspects of the Safety of Cosmetics
Lincoln J. Gerende

Synopsis

The complaint rates resulting from the use of cosmetics, i.e., the number of complaints per number of units sold, is not a statistically valid method of assessing the safety of products. On the other hand, a properly selected random sample involving the population at risk can be used to predict the incidence of irritation resulting from a product. This can be achieved through a customary test or a paired comparison procedure. It appears most practical to setup a maximum tolerable irritation rate before a product is marketed. Tests of the type described can then be used to determine whether the product under consideration warrants marketing.

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