Abstract:
Cosmetics are synthetic products that have been used for beautification purposes by
humans for many years. Heavy metal contamination of these products, can be a reason behind
serious organ damage and neural degeneration. The study was conducted in order to
determine the health hazards of Cr, Pb, and Hg in internationally and locally manufactured
face and talcum powders and consumer awareness on it. The permissible limits determined
by the American Food and Drug Association and European authorities for heavy metals
contamination are used as standard. It was found that most of the internationally and locally
manufactured cosmetic products do not follow these regulations. Hence, cosmetic products
are made under poor surveillance causing serious health issues among consumers. Hazard
quotient is determined in order to understand the health risk that each metal hold. Most of
the products manufactured in developed and developing countries have Hazard quotient
values higher than the maximum Hazard quotient value determined by the authorities.
Consumers are mostly ignorant of the hazards associated with the products they purchase and
are unaware of the health risks associated with that product. This leads to long-term
irreversible health conditions.
