Toxic Beauty: Evaluating the Toxicological Risks of Heavy Metals in Facial Cosmetics and Implications for Public Health in Calabar, Nigeria
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Facial cosmetics beautify, but combined usage may expose users to harmful heavy metals. This study evaluates that toxic risk. A survey involving 300 female participants was conducted to identify the most commonly used cosmetic brands—Brands A, B, C, and D. A total of 576 cosmetic samples, including foundations, face powders, lipsticks, and eye pencils, were purchased bimonthly over six months. Samples were prepared through acid digestion and analyzed for metal content using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Health risk assessment was conducted using systemic exposure dosage (SED), margin of safety (MoS), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) models. Metals concentrations (mg/kg) across all brands were in the following ranges: lead (0.066-0.789), cadmium (0.093-0.787), chromium (0.049-0.543), cobalt (0.048-0.902), nickel (0.033-0.704), and iron (0.021-0.641). Metal concentrations varied significantly across brands and product types (ANOVA, p≤0.05). Nickel and cadmium levels in most products exceeded WHO and Health Canada limits. The SED values revealed that Co, Cd, and Pb posed the highest risks, particularly in Brand A and Brand C products. MoS calculations indicated that Cd and Co posed significant safety concerns. HQ values confirmed that Cd and Co exceeded the non-carcinogenic risk threshold. The HI values were above unity, suggesting cumulative health risks. LCR values for Cd, Ni, and Cr were above the acceptable risk range, indicating potential cancer risks. The study concludes that prolonged use of studied cosmetics poses both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. Routine screening of cosmetic products to ensure compliance with safety standards is strongly recommended.
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