Assessment of level of heavy metals in cosmetics

Abstract

Background: Toxic metals in cosmetic products can lead to serious health problems among consumers. Skin lightening cosmetics are popular among women who may be unaware of prevalence of toxic metals in such products. Purpose: This study assessed the content of toxic metals in cosmetic products imported into Botswana. There are currently no regulations in Botswana governing maximum contaminants limits for contaminants such as metal ions in cosmetic products. Research Design: Sample analysis was carried out using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry after microwave-assisted acid sample digestion. Results: Total concentrations of metals were in the order Pb > Ni > Cr > As. The concentrations of metals analysed were in the range of 45.75–193.60; 2.99–9.50; 3.32–7.41 and 1.95–4.52 mg/kg for Pb, Ni, Cr and As respectively. The concentrations of Pb in all 14 samples exceeded the maximum impurity level of 10 mg/kg in cosmetics as per the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). Concentrations of Ni, As and Cr were also higher than the set US FDA limits in some cosmetic samples under study. A human health risk assessment was conducted using hazard quotient, average daily intake and health risk index. A hazard quotient of greater than one was determined for Pb (HQ ∼ 177.0–749.2) in all 14 cosmetic samples investigated indicating potential adverse effects to human health. Conclusion: Overall results of total concentration and health risk assessment indicate that cosmetic products imported into Botswana are harmful to consumers. Therefore, quality control measures should be enforced to ensure metal concentrations in facial cosmetic products do not exceed regulatory limits.

Contamination Profiles of Selected Pollutants in Procambarus clarkii Non-Edible Portions Highlight Their Potential Exploitation Applications

“…Similarly, the levels found are also acceptable for other trace elements; in fact, although no EU limit for the human consumption of crayfish muscle has been established, other national regulations set maximum limits, e.g., Cu to 20 mg·kg −1 w.w. in edible mass for Zn to 70 mg·kg −1 w.w. [ 23 ]. In addition, the maximum permitted limits for heavy metals in food are lower than those established for cosmetics, potentially allowing the use of exoskeletons in this sector [ 55 ].…”

Electrochemical Detection of Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+ with Sensors Based on Carbonaceous Nanomaterials and Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

“…When heavy metals enter the environment, they come into direct contact with living organisms and begin to accumulate causing extremely dangerous manifestations such as damage to the digestive, renal, neuronal, cardiovascular, reproductive, visual analyzer systems and even molecular changes in the DNA [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. It is worth mentioning that there are also HMs that are essential for the body and maintenance of health, such as iron, zinc and copper, but even these can become toxic at high concentrations [ 19 , 20 ]. Therefore, continuous, rapid, sensitive and accurate monitoring of HMs in environmental and food samples is necessary [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Metal concentrations and KIM-1 levels in school-aged children: a cross-sectional study

“…Work environments, such as manufacturing industries, can result in exposure to heavy metals 5 . Moreover, consumer goods like cosmetics and toys may also contain them 6 , 7 . These non-environmental avenues underscore the significance of monitoring and regulating heavy metal exposure to safeguard human health.…”