ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN COSMETIC POWDERS AND AWARENESS OF CONSUMER ON PRODUCT LABELS IN ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN

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.