Assessment Of Heavy Metal Content Of Some Cosmetics Products Purchased From Two Tertiary Institutions In Abia State.
ABSTRACT
An assessment of heavy
metals content of some cosmetic products purchased from two tertiary
Institutions in Abia State, Nigeria were carried out in this study. In order to
assess the health risk levels of heavy metals in various brands of cosmetics
products purchased by the students, and to determine the concentrations,
systemic toxicity, hazard quotient levels and cancer risk and potency levels.
The wet digestion method application were adopted, 10ml of concentrated nitric
acid and perchloric acid was mixed at (3:1 ratio), added to 2g of each sample
in a 100ml beaker and allowed to stand in a water bath for 2-3 hours at 60oC.
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer was subsequently used to obtain the respective
values of the metals. In ABSU, the mean values of Cadmium in Eye shadow samples
was (4.03 to 5.62μg/g), Eye pencil (5.46 to 7.06μg/g), Lip liner (1.13 to
5.13μg/g), Lipstick not detected (*ND* to 85.71μg/g), Face powder not detected
(*ND* to 0.28μg/g) and Skin cream not detected (*ND* to 0.24μg/g). The mean values
of Chromium concentrations in Lipstick was 27.63 to 65.57μg/g, Skin cream 29.89 to
47.84μg/g, Lip liner 34.96 to 47.93μg/g,
Face power 32.51 to 51.98μg/g, Eye pencil 34.36to 47.96μg/g,
and Eye shadow 30.80 to 43.97μg/g in samples collected from Abia State
University Uturu. High concentrations of chromium were found in lipstick
product (Lp3). A very high concentration of Cr was observed in eye shadow and
mascara in Saudi Arabia product. The (SED) of Copper (Cu) and the (SED) of Cr
from the use of these cosmetic products ranged from 4.9795, 9.6549 to 9.9730μg kg−1bw day−1.m
and 4.6688, 5.7499 to 5.960μg kg−1bw day−1
respectively. The estimated SED values of Mercury (Hg) obtained from the use of
these cosmetic products ranged between 1.7143, 2.1384 to 4.1143μg kg−1bw day−1, while the SED of
Iron (Fe) ranged between 5.7326 to 7.6353μg kg−1bw day−4.
The systemic exposure dosage of Nickel (Ni) from the use of these cosmetic
products ranged from 5.1168, 5.9702 to 9.1577μg kg−1bw day−8.
The SEDs values of Lead (Pb) obtained from the use of cosmetic products
available varied from 4.2013, 7.0353 to 8.1693μg kg−1 between
day−12. The SEDs values of Mn obtained from the use of cosmetic
products available ranged from 3.5835 to 7.3880μg kg−1 between day−15. The
systemic exposure dosage of Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) from the use of these
cosmetic products ranged from 3.8658, 5.1480 to 9.2658μg kg−1bw day−18. The estimated SED
values of Cadbium (Cd) obtained from the use of these facial cosmetic products
ranged between 5.9218, 7.4032
to 8.2697μg
kg−1bw day−21, while the SED of Arsenic (As) ranged
between 4.1247 to 9.3806μg kg−1bw day−24. The estimated SEDs of Mercury (Hg), Chromium
(Cr), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As) and Cadbium (Cd) respectively from the
application of these facial cosmetic products are below their respective
recommended intake values except in PCPs products of Eye pencils, Face Powder
were 7.3880 μg /g in
Pb, 7.6353 μg/g in Fe, 8.2697 μg/g in Cd,
9.3806 μg/g in As and in Cu 9.9730 μg kg−1bw day−28 and
while the estimated systematic exposure dosage (SEDs) of Zinc (Zn) 7.2061, Cd 7.4032 and Mn 9.2658 μg kg−1bw day−31
in PCPs of Eye Pencil were also above the recommended intake values. The
estimated Margin of Safety for metals in these cosmetic products was greater
than the proposed value of 100 set by the World Health Organization. The
present study revealed that heavy metals analyzed in locally made and imported
cosmetic products, the locally made tends to be more concentrated above their
specified limits whereas imported products have required specified limits
according Canadian Authority.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Table of Content vi
List of Tables vii
List of Plates xii
Abstract xiii
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study 1
1.2 Statement
of the Problem 7
1.3 Justification
of the Study 8
1.4 Aim and
Objective of the Study 8
1.5 Scope
of the Study 9
1.6 Significance
of Study 9
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Facial Cosmetics ingredients 10
2.2 Side Effects of Cosmetics and Formulation of Cosmetics
Products 12
2.2.1 Substances with toxic potential in
formulation of cosmetics products 14
2.3 The Health Complications Associated With
the Use of Cosmetic Products 15
2.3.1 Allergic reactions to cosmetics 15
2.3.2 Irritant contact dermatitis 16
2.3.3 Photoallergic dermatitis 16
2.3.4. Facial stinging 17
2.3.5 Redness of the skin 17
2.4 Health and environmental hazards of some
chemicals in cosmetics products 17
2.5 Heavy Metals Contents in Facial Cosmetics
Ingredients 19
2.5.1 Coal tar 19
2.5.1.2 Diethanolamine (Cocamide DEA and Lauramide DEA) 20
2.5.1.3
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) 20
2.5.1.4
Parabens 21
2.5.1.5
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) 22
2.5.1.6
Petrolatum 22
2.5.1.7
Siloxanes 22
2.6 Health Risk Associated with Heavy Metals
in Cosmetics 23
2.7 Other Heavy Metals Present In Facial
Cosmetic Ingredients 23
2.7.1 Cadmium ` 23
2.7.2 Lead 24
2.7.3 Arsenic 24
2.7.4 Chromium 26
2.7.5 Manganese 26
2.7.6 Nickel 26
2.7.7 Mercury 27
2.7.8 Copper 28
2.8 Animal
Testing on Cosmetics Ingredients 29
2.9 Current
Legislation on Cosmetics Products 33
2.9.1 Current
legislation on cosmetics products 36
CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Study Area 38
3.2 Experimental Design and Procedure 41
3.2.1 Sample collection 41
3.2.2 Materials-chemicals and Standard Equipment 41
3.3 Sample Preparation 42
3.3.1 Sampling 42
3.3.2 Sample Digestion for all Metals except Pb
and Hg 43
3.3.3 Sample Digestion for Lead (Pb) 43
3.3.4 Sample Digestion for Mercury (Hg) 44
3.4 Assessment of Health Risk 44
3.4.1 Hazardous index 47
3.4.2 Cancer risk and potency factor 47
3.5 Statistical Analysis 49
CHAPTER FOUR:
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion 80
5.2 Recommendations
81
References 82
Appendices 95
LIST OF TABLES
` PAGES
1. Heavy metals concentrations (ug/g) of some identify cosmetics
products commonly used in
Abia State University
(ABSU) 50
2. Heavy
metals concentrations (ug/g) of some identify facial cosmetics products
commonly used in Michael Okpara University Agriculture, Umudike 58
3. Assessment
of Systemic Exposure dosage Levels and Margin Safety Cosmetics products in ABSU 66
4. Risk
assessment of systemic exposure dosage levels and margin of
safety of metals in
cosmetics in MOUAU 69
5. Risk
assessment of hazardous index of metals in PCPS facial cosmetics product
collected from Absu &MOUAU 71
6. Risk
assessment of oral cancer level and cancer level index of heavy metals in
personal Care Product (cosmetics)collected from Abia State University. 73
7. Risk
assessment of oral cancer levels and cancer risk index of heavy metals in
Personal Care product (Cosmetics) collected from MOUAU 75
8. Risk
assessment of potency factor levels of heavy metals in Personal Care Products
(Cosmetics) collected from ABSU and MOUAU 77
0.0
DAMIAN, C (2023). Assessment Of Heavy Metal Content Of Some Cosmetics Products Purchased From Two Tertiary Institutions In Abia State.. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Oct 31, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-heavy-metal-content-of-some-cosmetics-products-purchased-from-two-tertiary-institutions-in-abia-state-7-2
CHIDIEBERE, DAMIAN. "Assessment Of Heavy Metal Content Of Some Cosmetics Products Purchased From Two Tertiary Institutions In Abia State." Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 14 Aug. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-heavy-metal-content-of-some-cosmetics-products-purchased-from-two-tertiary-institutions-in-abia-state-7-2. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
CHIDIEBERE, DAMIAN. "Assessment Of Heavy Metal Content Of Some Cosmetics Products Purchased From Two Tertiary Institutions In Abia State.". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 14 Aug. 2023. Web. 31 Oct. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-heavy-metal-content-of-some-cosmetics-products-purchased-from-two-tertiary-institutions-in-abia-state-7-2 >.
CHIDIEBERE, DAMIAN. "Assessment Of Heavy Metal Content Of Some Cosmetics Products Purchased From Two Tertiary Institutions In Abia State." Mouau.afribary.org (2023). Accessed 31 Oct. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/assessment-of-heavy-metal-content-of-some-cosmetics-products-purchased-from-two-tertiary-institutions-in-abia-state-7-2