Abstract
It has recently been discovered that long term exposure to heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) causes some health which are carcinogenic, behavioral abnormalities and sterility. This study is aimed at determining the concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cu and Ni in skin cosmetics, particularly in toning creams. Samples were purchased from Oja-Oba market in Akure City of Ondo state, Nigeria. All the heavy metals under study were quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) after wet digestion and dry ashing methods. The following metals were found through wet digestion, Cu (3.90-12.05), Zn (3.50-7.10), Mn (9.90-12.50), Cd (0.00-0.35), Ni (1.05-2.25), Pb (0.10-1.80) and Cr (0.6-4.1) while dry ashing recorded, Cu (7.15-10.70), Zn (6.40-13.85), Mn (10.60-14.90), Cd (0.35-0.55), Ni (3.40-4.70), Pb (0.30-0.55) and Cr (0.85-1.00) mg/kg. It was observed that the concentrations of those metals in the creams investigated were below the maximum permissible limits set by WHO. Significant differences (p < 0.05) of the levels of heavy metals were found between some of the creams posing risks of a combination of creams as well as continual usage. It is, therefore, necessary to indicate the levels of heavy metals on the labels of these cosmetics so the users can be aware.
Highlights
It has recently been discovered that long term exposure to heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) causes some health which are carcinogenic, behavioral abnormalities and sterility
As obtained in the results from the analysis, it was observed that heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mn, Zn and Ni) were present in the creams
The levels, were lower than those set by WHO. These results do not warrant safety though for use of these products since it is evident from the literature that continuous use of cosmetics would be harmful to health
Summary
Cosmetic products are used by all caste of society as a part of routine body care. Previously, metals were major ingredients of cosmetics, for example, preservative thimerosal (mercury), lead acetate, and red cinnabar (mercuric sulphide) are usually added as progressive hair dye in a number of tattoo pigments (Omolaoye et al [12]). When heavy metals are present at certain concentrations, it results in being toxic This is due to the fact that some metals can accumulate in the body over time and are caused by different long-term health effects which can include cancer, reproductive and developmental and neurological disorders, cardiovascular, kidney and renal problems, lung damage, contact dermatitis, and brittle hair and hair loss. Cr and Ni are potent skin sensitizers, while As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb are highly toxic with many long-term effects (Forte et al [7], Thyssen et al [13]). Exposure to these metals, keeps increasing daily especially in cosmetics. This work is aimed at evaluating the heavy metals found in some creams in Nigeria
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