Measures of Harm From Heavy Metal Contents (Lead and Cadmium) in Women’s Lipstick and Lipgloss in Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the glittering appeal of cosmetics, their public health risk continues to mount. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union’s Restriction on Hazardous Substances (ROHS) reported that some cosmetic materials used by humans especially women contain hazardous substances. The aim of this research is to assess the public health risk in certain brands of lipsticks and lipglosses sold at Yenagoa metropolis. This study focuses only on the presence of lead and cadmium in randomly selected lipsticks and lipglosses. 10 samples of different brands made from different countries were randomly selected for analysis. The samples were analyzed according to standardized international protocols by wet digestion method, by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The highest concentration of lead and cadmium was detected in the lipsticks while the lipglosses contain no lead and cadmium. The safety assessment of cosmetic products is a complex issue that is not only affected by scientific questions, but should be monitored by the responsible regulatory organizations, as well as consumers, health ministry and the government for health risks. The study concludes that there is need for more women advocacy and studies on other brands of cosmetics be assess for risks of heavy metal toxicity.