Heavy Metals in Selected Skin Lighting Creams and Medicated Soaps

Select Volume / Issue:

• Volume 5,Issue 3, May 2017

Year:

2017

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

Skin Lighting Creams, Medicated Soap, Cosmetics Heavy Metals

Authors:

P.K. Onojah; J.E. Emurotu

Journal:

IJISM

Volume:

5

Number:

3

Pages:

95-99

Month:

May

ISSN:

2347-9051

Abstract:

Heavy metals toxicity to humans can result from long term exposure to consumer products such as the cosmetics and toiletries. In this work, the levels of toxic metals in different cosmetics products sold at local shops in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria were assessed. The cosmetics analysed includes five skin lightening creams and five medicated soaps. These cosmetics were analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr and Hg) after digestion with concentrated acids; HNO3: H2SO4 in the ratio of 2:1. The concentrations of the selected toxic heavy metals were determined in triplicate using FS 240 Varian Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. All the samples analysed for chromium contained a detectable amount of the metal with a concentration ranging from 0.0020 to 0.0190ppm. Samples A (Dettol), B (Fashion fair), C (Septol), D (Tura) and I (Fashion fair) contained a detectable amount of chromium with concentration ranging from 0.0003 to 0.0027ppm, while the concentration of chromium in samples F (Fair and White), G (Neurotone), H (Hot Movate) and J (Clear tone) is below the detection limit. Also, samples B (Fashion Fair), D (Tura), F (Fair and White), G (Neurotone) and H (Hot movate) contains a detectable amount of lead with concentration range of 0.0063 to 0.0521ppm, while the concentration of lead in samples A (Detol), C (Septol), E (Crusader), I (Fashion fair) and J (clear tone) is below detection limit. All samples analysed for mercury contained a detectable amount of mercury ranging from 0.0030 to 3.7022ppm. It is obvious from the present study that the use of some cosmetic products exposes users to low concentrations of toxic heavy metals which could constitute potential health risks due to accumulate in the biological systems over time.

Full text: IJISM_649_FINAL.pdf [Bibtex]