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. 2013 Dec 5:2013:959637.
doi: 10.1155/2013/959637. eCollection 2013.

Metal concentrations in cosmetics commonly used in Nigeria

Orish Ebere Orisakwe  1 , Jonathan Oye Otaraku  2
Affiliations

Metal concentrations in cosmetics commonly used in Nigeria

Orish Ebere Orisakwe et al. ScientificWorldJournal. .

Abstract

Trace amounts of potentially toxic metals can be either intentionally added to cosmetics or present as impurities in the raw materials. In the present study, the levels of lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, and mercury have been assessed in 28 body creams and lotions, 10 powders, 3 soaps, 5 eye make-ups, and 4 lipsticks widely available on Nigerian markets. The increases over suggested or mandated levels of lead in these creams and lotions ranged from 6.1 to 45.9 and from 1.2 to 9.2 mg kg⁻¹ when compared with Cosmetic Ingredients Review Expert Panel 2007 and German safe maximum permissible limit of lead in cosmetics, respectively. About 61% of the body cosmetics, the lotions, and the creams contained detectable levels of nickel ranging from 1.1 to 6.4-9.2 mg kg⁻¹. Chromium and mercury were undetected in 100% of the cosmetic product. Taken together, lead and cadmium were high in creams and lotions. Most of the imported creams and creamy white coloured cosmetics contained higher levels of metal contaminants than the other colours. Regulatory Agencies in developing nations should take appropriate action for cosmetics that contain lead and cadmium beyond the reference limits.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lead concentration in creams and lotions. Suggested safe levels of Gondal et al. (0.5 ppm), Expert Panel 2007 (0.2 ppm), and Germany (1 ppm).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Nickel concentration in creams and lotions.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Lead and nickel concentrations in powders. Suggested safe levels of Gondal et al. (0.5 ppm), Expert Panel 2007 (0.2 ppm), Germany (1 ppm). Suggested safe levels of nickel: Gondal et al. (5 ppm), Basketter et al. low limit level (1 ppm), andBasketter et al. high limit level (5 ppm).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Lead and nickel concentrations (mg/kg) in soap. Suggested safe levels of Gondal et al. (0.5 ppm), Expert Panel 2007 (0.2 ppm), and Germany (1 ppm). Suggested safe levels of nickel: Gondal et al. (5 ppm), Basketter et al. low limit level (1 ppm), and Basketter et al. high limit level (5 ppm).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Lead and nickel concentrations (mg/kg) in eye make-ups. Suggested safe levels of Gondal et al. (0.5 ppm), Expert Panel 2007 (0.2 ppm), and Germany (1 ppm). Suggested safe levels of nickel: Gondal et al. (5 ppm), Basketter et al. low limit level (1 ppm), and Basketter et al. high limit level (5 ppm).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Lead concentration (mg/kg) in lipsticks. Suggested safe levels of Gondal et al. (0.5 ppm), Expert Panel 2007 (0.2 ppm), and Germany (1 ppm).
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