Investigation of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) Concentrations in Natural and Synthetic Product Cosmetics Used in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of cosmetics in their various forms has been historical and still trending. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have been found to be critical constituents of these cosmetics, though as either functional ingredients or as impurities. This has raised health concerns such as; in kidney failures, heart diseases and birth defects. This study investigate the presence and levels of certain indexed PTEs in both natural and synthetic cosmetics and their associated health implications on users in Lagos State, Nigeria. Three natural product cosmetics namely; palm kernel oil (PKO), shear butter and ‘tiro’ labelled as NC1, NC2 and NC3 respectively, and five brands of synthetic product cosmetics (SPCs) labelled as SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4 and SC5 were selected for analysis based on questionnaire response to cosmetic use among Badagry women. The metal analysis done using ICPOES showed that NC3 is PTEs laden; Mn (38.132 + 8.195) ppm, Ni (42.04 + 2.331) ppm, Pb (65.341 + 3.064) and Zn (92.89 + 6.62) ppm. Mn concentration is the highest amongst all the SPCs, ranging from 17.56 + 2.09 ppm to 29.04 + 0.012 ppm. Ni concentration ranged from 0.506 + 0.073 ppm to 9.88 + 1.43 ppm. The presence of these PTEs could be attributed to unintended contamination from raw material or product processing, or deliberately added as part of the required ingredients as in the case of some synthetic cosmetics. The level of PTEs in the synthetic cosmetics were below the permissible limits set by WHO. However, the risk of bioaccumulation exists due to continuous use over time.