Determination of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) in authorized and unauthorized cosmetics

Abstract

Aim: The present study evaluates lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury contamination in lipsticks, mascara, eye shadow, and eyebrow pencils, and compares the amounts of these toxic elements in both legal and contraband products.

Background: The presence of heavy metals in cosmetics is of major concern, and requires constant monitoring to ensure the safety of consumers. Cosmetics contaminated with heavy metals can lead them to accumulate in the skin, while the further migration of these toxic elements to blood vessels can cause subsequent difficulties.

Material and methods: The graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) and Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA) techniques were used.

Results: The data indicate that the lead content in the products did not exceed the acceptable limit of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety of Germany (BVL), and that the cadmium values in all products were significantly lower than the limit set by the BVL. The arsenic contents of lipsticks, eye shadows, and eyebrow pencils was significantly higher than the BVL standard, while the mercury content was far below the BVL standards, so there seems to be no concern associated with this toxic element. Legal cosmetics showed better results, except for mascara, which had higher amounts of arsenic than contraband. The higher contents of arsenic in contraband eye shadows and eyebrow pencils is an issue that should be taken into considerations by the relevant authorities.

Conclusion: The authors suggest further analysis of the toxic elements in cosmetics and better monitoring of both imported and contraband cosmetics. Moreover, consumers’ knowledge of the potential risks of the frequent application of cosmetic products should be improved.

Keywords:

• Cosmetics
• heavy metals
• contraband
• lead
• cadmium
• arsenic
• mercury

Acknowledgements

This study has been derived from Sina Afzalan’s thesis. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Food and Drug Administration of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences for its collaboration.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (grant number U-96042).