Concentrations and probable health risks of potentially toxic metals (Pb, Cd and Cr) in some Nigerian lipstick products

Background

Lipstick is one of the widely used cosmetic items that are produced from both natural and processed materials and they are one of the sources of metals and metalloids released among the users. This study measured concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in some brands of Nigerian lipstick products and assessed their probable health risks to the users.

Methods

A total of twenty (L1 - L20) brands of lipstick products were purchased from the central cosmetic stores and the samples were prepared, digested and concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The probable health risk was assessed via average daily dose (ADD) by ingestion route, hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), cancer risks (CR), and relative intake index (RII).

Results

The ranges of concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr were 5.6 - 25.1, 2.5 - 21.5 and 5.0 - 61.7 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The ranges of ADD values of Pb, Cr and Cd were 1.2 × 10⁻³ - 5.7 × 10⁻³; 1.3 × 10⁻³ - 5.7 × 10⁻³ and 5.1 × 10⁻³ - 1.4 × 10⁻³ µg day⁻¹, respectively. Among the samples Cr had HQ values 1.3 to 9.6. The HQ values of Cd for L2, L6, L12 and L14 ranges between 1.1 and 1.5. Then HQ values of Pb for L1 -L20 were 1.0 - 4.1. The HI values of Pb, Cr and Cd in each lipstick brands range from 2.8 to 12.5, indicating a non-carcinogenic health risk. The CR values for Cr and Cd are from 6.6 × 10⁻⁴ to 6.9 × 10⁻⁴ and from 2.0 × 10⁻² to 2.5 × 10⁻², respectively and they were within the acceptable limit value of 1.0 × 10⁻⁴. The RII of Pb, Cd and Cr were 4.50 - 20.1, 2.0 – 19.2 and 1.9 – 23.0 %, respectively.

Conclusion

All the health indices indicated non-carcinogenic health risks. The continuous exposure and unintentional ingestion of such lipstick products can pose high risks to the users due to bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd and Cr which may lead to negative health conditions.