Determination Of The Level Of Some Selected Toxic Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd And Cr) In Some Commercial Cosmetic Avaliable In Local Market Of Adama City

Abstract

The study was aimed to determine the levels of some selected toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cr) in different commercial cosmetic products sold at different local markets of Adama city. The cosmetic items included three vaselines, three shampoos and three lipsticks of various brands. The cosmetics were digested with concentration HNO3:HClO4 in 3:1 ratio and analyzed for heavy metals (lead, cadmium and chromium) using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The range of the concentrations in vaseline is 0.022 - 0.032 ppm, 0.0004 - 0.0006 ppm and BDL Pb, Cd and Cr respectively. The concentration range in shampoo is 0.023 - 0.036 ppm, BDL - 0.0005 ppm and 0.055 - 0.071 ppm Pb, Cd and Cr respectively. The concentration ranges in lipsticks is 0.04 - 0.063 ppm, 0.0004 - 0.0005 ppm and 0.026 - 0.034 ppm Pb, Cd and Cr respectively. The concentrations of the metal ions in some cosmetic products produced in Ethiopia were also compared with recommended maximum permissible limits according to World Health Organization (WHO), Health of Canada, International Purity Specification (IPS) for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Kenya Bureau of Standard (KEBS) and found that their concentration were below the permissible limits. However their prolong exposure may result in to health risk since they can be bioaccumulation. Further more comprehensive research is recommended to look into the larger picture of the source and health risk impacts of heavy metals should be conducted.