Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Traditional Cosmetics Sold in Tunisian Local Markets

Abstract

This study was undertaken in order to determine heavy metal contents in twelve (n = 12) henna brands and eleven (n = 11) kohl products. An analytical test was performed for Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in henna and kohl products using atomic absorption spectrophotometery. The overall mean concentrations of heavy metals in henna varied between 1.2 and 8.9 μg g(-1) for Pb; 0.8 and 18.6 μg g(-1) for Cd; 0.5 μg g(-1) and 3.3 μg g(-1) for Cu; and 3.7 μg g(-1) and 90.0 μg g(-1) for Zn. As for kohl products, Pb concentrations ranged between 51.1 μg g(-1) and 4839.5 μg g(-1), Cd concentrations ranged between 1.0 μg g(-1) and 158.6 μg g(-1), Cu concentrations ranged between 2.5 μg g(-1) and 162.5 μg g(-1), and Zn concentrations ranged between 0.7 μg g(-1) and 185.0 μg g(-1). The results of our study revealed that Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn contents in investigated samples were high, making from the prolonged use of such products a potential threat to human health. Therefore, major quality controls are recommended in order to enforce acceptable limits of potential contaminants in cosmetics and good manufacturing practice.

Figure 1

EDXRF spectra of both (a) the natural stone kohl sample and (b) the local kohl sample (S-5).

Figure 2

EDXRF spectra of both the (a) green henna sample (H-1) and of the (b) red-brown henna (H-2) sample.