Abstract

EVALUATION OF LEAD CONTENT IN TOPICAL COSMETICS COMMONLY USED IN SUDAN

Fatima A. H. Mohamed , Bashier Osman*, Elrasheed A. Gad Kariem , Iman H.
Abdoon, Magdi A. Mohamed

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal that is linked to a wide spread negative environmental and public health implications in many parts of the world. Limit tests for lead content in many preparations (drugs or cosmetics) are recommended by many official authorities. Several studies have reported contamination with lead in many types of cosmetics in different countries.This study aims to determine the content of lead in the most commonly used topical cosmetics (lipsticks, foundation and face powder) in Sudan. Fifty four samples of topical cosmetics (30 lipsticks, 12 face powder and 12 foundation) were chosen according to a questionnaire previously distributed to two hundred female participants from different universities in Sudan and analyzed for lead content using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-6800, Shimadzu). The result showed that the concentration of lead in the lipsticks was within the range of 0.03-3.62 μg/g with lead been detected in 83.3% of the samples tested, while the concentration of lead was in the range of 0.1- 0.17 μg/g for foundation with lead been detected in 16.7% of the tested samples. On the other hand, only one sample with lead concentration of 0.63 μg/g was detected in the category of face powder and representing 8.3% of the samples understudy. The detected lead content in all sample tested was found to be below the allowable limit by the USA food and drug administration (FDA) for lead in color additives approved for use in cosmetics (20 μg/g).

Keywords: Lead, lipstick, face powder, foundations.