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Safety evaluation of heavy metals exposure from consumer products
Author(s) -
Odukudu Festus B.,
Ayenimo Joseph G.,
Adekunle Abolanle S.,
Yusuff Adeyinka M.,
Mamba Bhekie B.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of consumer studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.775
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1470-6431
pISSN - 1470-6423
DOI - 10.1111/ijcs.12061
Subject(s) - cadmium , zinc , atomic absorption spectroscopy , environmental chemistry , heavy metals , chemistry , chromium , consumer safety , human health , toxicology , business , environmental health , medicine , physics , risk analysis (engineering) , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , biology
The determination of heavy metals in consumer products is crucial for the safety appraisal and sources classification of human and environmental exposures. These products contain various undisclosed chemical constituents with no or little known health safety information. The public is generally unaware of these types of everyday exposure from chemical constituents of consumer products and their health consequences. In this study, we recorded a body of proof demonstrating potential harm of consumer goods, by determining concentrations of total cadmium ( Cd ), chromium ( Cr ), copper ( Cu ), zinc ( Zn ), iron ( Fe ), lead ( Pb ) and nikel ( Ni contents in a variety of personal care products ( n = 82) commonly used in N igeria, using flame atomic absorption spectrometer after dry and wet digestion methods. The results of the analysis indicated that the range of Cd was 0.035 ± 0.023–0.467 ± 0.167 ppm, Cr 0.015 ± 0.009–0.435 ± 0.232 ppm, Cu 0.230 ± 0.08–0.603 ± 0.025 ppm, Zn 0.003 ± 0.005–0.743 ± 0.066 ppm, Fe 0.233 ± 0.219–1.401 ± 1.878 ppm, Pb 0.02 ± 0.007–0.2050.129 ppm and Ni 0.035 ± 0.015–0.093 ± 0.06 ppm. The values of Cd and Cr are a cause for alarm because the elements are not allowed in any amount in cosmetics. Despite the fact that zinc is essential in the body, the values obtained in this study deserves safety concerns due to cumulative effect, arising from incessant exposure.