Toxic elements determination in selected cosmetic products: Health risk assessment

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the content of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) in selected lipsticks and face foundations of different countries of origin and price categories, as well as the assessment of health risk associated with these metals via dermal and oral exposure. The samples were prepared by acid digestion and then analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) – Cd, Pb and Ni and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) – As. Arsenic was found in 50% of lipstick samples and in only two face foundation samples with the highest concentration of 0.28 mg/kg in the lipstick sample, the lead concentration was in the range of 1.15 to 5.12 mg/kg in ten samples. Nickel was found in five samples out of 20, with the highest concentration of 4.20 mg/kg. Cadmium was found in only one face foundation sample in the cheaper price range (1.11 mg/kg). The obtained results indicate that concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, and Ni were within the permissible limits according to Serbian legislation. Health risk associated with these elements was assessed as non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk. Obtained hazard quotients (HQs) and hazard indexes (HIs) were below 1, indicating the absence of significant non-carcinogenic health risk due to exposure to these TEs. The carcinogenic risk results show that investigated cosmetic products can be considered low–risky due to the possibility of causing malignant disease.