A mechanistic approach for toxicity and risk assessment of heavy metals, hydroquinone and microorganisms in cosmetic creams

Evaluation of heavy metals in cosmetic products and their health risk assessment

In the present study, we synthesized DABCOnium-based-Brønsted acidic ionic liquid-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@(SU-DBC) NPs). Their structure was characterized using various morphological and physicochemical techniques such as SEM, powder-XRD, XPS, FTIR, VSM, and BET. The Fe3O4@(SU-DBC) NPs have remarkable magnetic recovery, extensive colloidal stability, and excellent recyclability. The fabricated ionic liquid-modified magnetic NPs show capability for magnetic dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction (MD-μ-SPE) of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb) from sunblock cream samples. Micro-sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry (MS-FAAS) was used to analyze the analytes. For evaluating the simultaneous effects of various parameters on the extraction efficiency, a central composite design was employed. In the method validation, the recoveries ranged from 97.84 to 102.36%, with relative standard deviations of 0.97% to 3.27%. The detection limits of the proposed method ranged between 0.067 and 0.715 μg kg-1. The developed method showed high sensitivity and precision, and stable recovery. Health risks were evaluated using the margin of safety (MoS), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR). Sunblock creams' MoS, HQ, and HI values were within permissible ranges, but LCR values were higher than permitted.

Inorganic elements are added to toys as impurities to give desired stability, brightness, flexibility, and color; however, these elements may cause numerous health issues after acute or chronic exposure. In this study, the inorganic profile of 14 elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, Sb, Pb, and Zn) in 63 toy makeup products was identified by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after microwave acid digestion method. Additionally, organic allergen fragrance was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The systemic exposure dosage (SED), margin of safety (MoS), lifetime cancer risk (LCR), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard indices were used to assess the safety evaluation. Then, 57 out of 63 samples (90.48%) exceeded the limits at least for one toxic element with descending order Ni > Cr > Co > Pb > Sb > Cd > As > Hg. The SED values were compared with tolerable daily intake values and remarkably differences were found for Al and Pb. The MoS values for 57.15% of samples exceeded the limit value for Al, As, Cd, Co, Hg, Mn, Sb, and Zn elements. The LCR values were observed at 100% (n = 63), 79.37% (n = 50), 85.71% (n = 54), 77.78% (n = 49), and 18.87% (n = 10) for Cr, Ni, As, Pb, and Cd, respectively. Also, the skin sensitization risks were obtained for Cr and Ni at 26.980% (n = 17) and 9.52% (n = 6), respectively. The HQ values for 80% of samples were found to be ≥ 1 at least for one parameter. The investigation of fragrance allergens in samples did not show any significant ingredients. As a result, toy makeup products marketed in local stores were found to be predominantly unsafe. Children should be protected from harmful chemicals by regular monitoring and strict measures.

Potential contamination and health risk assessment of heavy metals in Hurghada coastal sediments, Northwestern Red Sea

To understand the impact of fireworks on heavy metals in dust, the human health and ecological risks and source identification of six common heavy metals, lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni), were investigated in aged dust (AD) and fireworks dust (FD) collected from seven main administrative districts in Beijing. The health risk was assessed with the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) for non-carcinogenic elements and the carcinogenic risk (RI) for carcinogenic elements. The potential ecological risk was estimated based on the ecological risk index (RI). Principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted to identify the main sources of the heavy metals. The results showed that the mean concentrations of these metals in both AD and FD were much higher than the corresponding background values in Beijing soil; the Cu and Zn concentrations were significantly elevated by firework burning, while the other four metal concentrations in AD and FD were similar. The HQ and HI values for Cr, Zn, As and Cu in FD were higher than those in AD, indicating that the health risk of heavy metals in dust increased due to firework burning. The ecological risk of the above heavy metals in five of the seven studied districts increased from low to moderate or considerable risk after firework burning. Based on the PCA results, fireworks are an extra pollution source for heavy metals in dust. This research will help the government to implement effective measures to improve urban environmental quality.

Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in beer brands from Tanzania market

In order to serve population health better, the first integrated tiered decision tree for cumulative risk assessment of co-exposure of Pb-, Cd-, and As-associated health risks in food homologous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was designed, after measuring their concentrations by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Basically, our three-step decision tree involving hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and target-organ toxicity dose (TTD) modification of the HI method was developed to evaluate the potential risks of 949 batches of 15 types of food homologous TCM. To acquire a real-life exposure scenario, the cumulative risk assessment model was established by optimizing key parameters, such as ingestion rates, frequency, and duration of exposure to food homologous TCM based on questionnaire data. As a result, the mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As in 949 batches of food homologous TCM were 0.896, 0.133, and 0.192 mg/kg, respectively. The HQ values of As for Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Houttuynia cordata Thunb. were 1.04 and 1.01, respectively, for females. Other HQs of Pb, Cd, or As in food homologous TCM were lower than 1 for both males and females. However, after rapid screening of the co-exposure health risks of heavy metals by the HI method, cumulative risk assessment results acquired by TTD modification of the HI method implied that the potential health risks associated with the co-exposure of Pb, Cd, and As in Lonicera japonica Thunb. and Houttuynia cordata Thunb. ingested as both TCM and food were of concern in the clinic. Additionally, the cumulative risks of Pb, Cd, and As in Mentha canadensis L., Chrysanthemum indicum L., and Zaocys dhumnades (Cantor) only used as food exceeded the human tolerance dose. Collectively, our innovation on the tiered strategy of decision tree based on a real-life exposure scenario provides a novel approach engaging in the cumulative risk assessment of heavy metals in food homologous TCM. All in all, such effort attempts to scientifically guide the rational use of TCM in the treatment of the complex diseases and the improvement of population health.

Heavy metals are significant environmental pollutants that are recognized as posing a potential health hazard to human beings. We investigated the concentrations of the heavy metals As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in surface sediments collected from the Mae Chaem River in Chiang Mai, Thailand, during the dry season in 2021. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in sediments were, in decreasing order, Zn > Cr > As > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd. The mean values of As, Cd, Cr, and Cu were determined to be 32.5 ± 18.3, 0.33 ± 0.07, 45.8 ± 11.9, and 21.9 ± 7.42 mg Kg-1, respectively. These levels are higher than their standard levels in Thailand, namely 10.0, 0.16, 45.5, and 21.5 mg Kg-1, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the primary origins of heavy metal contamination are predominantly attributed to residential settlements and agricultural areas. The hazard quotient (HQ) was used to estimate the non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to heavy-metal-bound surface sediments for both children and adults. The results showed that the HQ values for both groups were less than 1.0 (HQ < 1.0), indicating no risk. Moreover, assessment of the long-term risk for ingestion of toxic metals indicated no risk (<10-6) based on the lifetime cancer risk (LCR). However, the LCR values of As and Cr were 5.3 × 10-6 and 2.5 × 10-6, respectively, demonstrating the most elevated LCR among the hazardous metals in terms of children's exposure. Therefore, it is possible that children living in agricultural areas and participating in activities around the study area may be exposed to elevated concentrations of As and Cr.

This study was conducted to assess the health risk of heavy metals from some fruits and vegetables sold in the Dutse Ultra-modern market, Jigawa State. Two fruits (watermelon and orange) and two vegetables (okra and spinach) were selected randomly from two vendors for two consecutive periods within one week. The samples were transported to the laboratory for acid digestion. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used for the determination of heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mg, Cr and Ni) concentration in the various samples. Bioaccumulation factor, pollution index, hazard quotient and hazard index were calculated and compared with WHO standard. Results obtained in the present study revealed that Cd levels in the samples were significantly higher as compared with the control value (0.2 mg/mL). Pb, Fe, Cr and Ni evaluated were insignificant as compared with their control (2 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, 1.3 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL, respectively). The results revealed only Cr (1.5) and Ni (1.7) have significantly high bioaccumulation factors while all other heavy metals show relatively low bioaccumulation. The pollution index of heavy metals in the samples of fruits and vegetables evaluated shows a relatively low pollution index, values obtained vary from 0.11 in Pb to 0.9 in Ni. While hazard quotients and hazard index were insignificant. The study concludes that okra, spinach, orange and watermelon in the Dutse ultra-modern market in Jigawa state despite their proximity to the mechanic village and a lot of activities occurring may not cause a serious health threat to human consumption. The study recommends further studies on other fruits and vegetables not selected for this study.

Eye shadows are cosmetic products widely used to enhance appearance. However, the use of raw materials contaminated with heavy metals poses potential health hazards. This study characterized 12 commercial eye shadow samples and quantified concentrations of Al, Ba, B, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Additional characterization using UV-vis, ATR-FTIR, and SEM-EDS techniques provided insights into the composition and potential sources of contamination. Multivariate analysis revealed differences in metal concentrations across brands. Health risk assessments, including margin of safety (MoS), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), lifetime cancer risk (LCR), and lifetime cancer risk based on the long-term relevant daily systemic exposure dose (LCR′), indicated that one product may pose significant health risks. Specifically, sample M4 showed an HI of 2.67 × 101, exceeding acceptable limits. These findings highlight the need for stricter regulation and continuous monitoring of heavy metals in cosmetics to safeguard consumer health.

Innovative health risk assessment of heavy metals in Chinese herbal medicines based on extensive data

The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of heavy metal contamination in soils and its effects on human health in the northern Telangana, India. Soil samples were collected randomly from 15 sampling stations located in the northern Telangana and analyzed for arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). The index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), ecological risk index (ERI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), cancer risk (CR), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) were used to estimate the heavy metal pollution and its consequence to human health. Results indicated that As, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni were within recommended limits, while Cr concentration (60 mg/kg) exceeded the maximum recommended limit in 93% of soil samples. The HI values of Cu, Ni, and Zn were all less than the recommended limit of HI = 1, indicating that there were no non-carcinogenic risks from these elements for children and adults. LCR for As and Cr concentrations of the soils was found higher than the acceptable threshold value of 1.0E−04, indicating significant carcinogenic risk due to higher concentration of these metals in the soils of the study region. The chronic daily intake of the metals is of major concern as their cumulative effect could result in several health complications of children and adults in the region. Therefore, necessary precautions should be taken to eradicate the health risk in the study region.

Seasoning powders are frequently used to enhance the taste, aroma, color and overall acceptability of food by consumers. Different brands of seasoning powder are frequently consumed without adequate human health risk assessment of the heavy metals constituents in them. This study was conducted to determine the heavy metal concentration in four (4) brands of seasoning powder (SP1, SP2, SP3 and SP4) sold in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Ten (10) heavy metals (As, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, Fe, Co, Cu, Mn and V) were analyzed by standard methods using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Model: GBC 908PBMT). Human Health Risk Assessment of heavy metals in the seasoning powders, taken in through ingestion route, was evaluated by computing the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI) and Cancer Risk (CR) based on adult human model variables provided by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The results showed that mean concentration of Pb and Cd were 6.35 ± 1.07 mg/kg and 0.53 ± 0.09 mg/kg respectively which are above the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL) of 5.0 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg respectively. Concentration of Fe, Co, Cu, Mn, and V were below the MPL and As and Cr were not detected in all the samples assessed.EDI for the measured heavy metals were less than the tolerable limits specified by USEPA. The HQ and HI values were within acceptable range of &lt;1 except for SP2 with HI value of 1.04. The results obtained for CR were above the specified acceptable range of 1.0 x10-6 to1.0 x 10-4. These results suggest possible health concerns associated with the consumption of these seasoning powders in the long term. Strict and systematic surveillance of heavy metals such as Pb and Cd in commonly consumed seasoning powder should be done to ensure safety and quality of the seasoning powders sold in Nigeria. Keywords: Seasoning powder, Heavy metals, Bio-toxicity, Hazard index, Cancer risk.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels and Health Risks in Coal Mining Regions: A Geostatistical and Health Risk Assessment Approach

Ecotoxicological risk assessment and source identification of heavy metals in the surface sediments of Çömlekci stream, Giresun, Turkey