Determination and Safety Assessment of Lead and Cadmium in Eye Shadows Purchased in Local Market in Tehran

Abstract

Powdered eye shadows are the most used eye cosmetics in Iran. 120 samples of 15 brands of pressed powder eye shadows in main seven colors: pink, white, violet, brown, golden, green and blue made from different countries were randomly purchased for analysis but a single brand may contain several colors which have been analyzed. Data was collected on the cost, brand, and color of product and batch number of the products that was sampled. The samples were analyzed according to standardized international protocols by wet digestion method (Using HNO3, HClO4, H 2 O 2 ) analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Lead and cadmium detected in all colors in wide range of concentrations. The brown and golden colors in all brands have the highest concentrations of lead, while blue and green colors have the lowest Lead content and the golden and blue color have the highest and lowest concentration of cadmium respectively. Estimating the safety assessment of cosmetic products such as eye shadows is a complex issue. The concentration of cadmium shows significant differences of this heavy metal in the color main groups (p<0.005). This result reveals that the type of pigment used in eye shadows contributes to its heavy metal content. As toxic metals especially lead can rise to accumulate in body over time and repetitive metal-containing product application and probably lead to significant exposure levels, We recommended the major quality controls for the cosmetics products due to long contact with the skin of eyelids.