Notice of Retraction: Lead and Cadmium Levels of Selected Beauty Products Sold in Wholesale Shops in Manila, Philippines

Abstract

Being in a third world and because of further economic depressions, the use of inexpensive, unbranded cosmetic products is slowly gaining popularity. Selected wholesale shops in Manila, Philippines offer the lowest prices for these commodities such that small scale vendors buy from this area for their retail business. Heavy metal contaminations, like lead and cadmium, may be present in these cosmetic products. Frequent use of such though in small amounts may result to chronic adverse public health effects. Generally, this study aimed to determine if the selected heavy metals contained in beauty samples analyzed. Specifically, it aimed to identify which of the tested samples contain the highest and the lowest concentrations of lead and cadmium. The levels of the aforementioned heavy metals were assessed relative to its acceptable standard limits both in cosmetics, and candies/chocolates. The components of a regular beauty product regimen were obtained and subjected to Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry as the instrumental analysis employed. All beauty products analyzed contained lead and cadmium. Their mean concentrations showed that none exceeded the 10ppm and 3ppm acceptable limits set for lead and cadmium respectively for cosmetics. Only two beauty product samples tested exceeded the lead limit set for cosmetics. All products though, exceeded the 0.1ppm standard limit for lead in candies while a few went beyond that set for cadmium in chocolates at 0.05ppm. Chocolates and candies are placed in the mouth, licked and eaten nearest the lips. Powder and make-up foundations when applied until the lips, and lipsticks are normally ingested in the same manner. Projected lead and cadmium blood levels exceeded the set acceptable limits at 10ug/dL and 5 ug/L respectively. Further studies on other beauty products inclusive of branded cosmetics sold in well-known stores in Manila must be undertaken. Other personal care products must also be analyzed for heavy metal contaminations. Government agencies with responsibilities related to drugs and cosmetics in the Philippines must strengthen their policies on regulation and marketing of these commodities in the country. Other related institutions must exert influence to improve the quality of beauty products in the Manila, Philippines market. Safety of the public must come in utmost priority.