ABSTRACT
The toxicity of heavy metals to humans as a result of long term exposure to pollutants consumer products such as cosmetics and other pollutants has been established. In this study, the levels of heavy metals in different cosmetic products commonly used among Kaduna Polytechnic students were assessed. The cosmetics were analyzed for heavy metals (chromium, copper, nickel and lead) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) after digestion with concentrated HNO3 and HCl acids. The concentrations of the selected heavy metals were determined in duplicates. All the samples analyzed contain detectable amount of the selected heavy metals which range from 0.02813 – 13.6628ppm in Lipstick, 2.4162 – 81.7835ppm in Powder and 0.0019 – 39.2720ppm in Soap although within the allowed limits. It is confirmed from this study that the use of cosmetic product exposes the users to low concentrations of toxic heavy metals which may lead to potential health risk to such users, since the metals can accumulate in the body over time. Recommendations on how to curb this challenge was also given.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.0Introduction1
1.1Heavy metals 3
1.2Cosmetics4
1.3Hazardous chemicals in cosmetics5
1.4Aim and objectives6
1.5Justification 6
1.6Scope 7
CHAPTER TWO
2.0Literature review8
2.1Toxic heavy metals10
2.1.1Lead10
2.1.2Cadmium12
2.1.3Mercury13
2.1.4Arsenic 14
2.1.5Nickel 16
2.1.6Chromium17
2.2Exposure to heavy metals 18
2.3How heavy metals get into cosmetics20
2.4Allowable levels of heavy metals in cosmetics21
2.5Health impacts of heavy metals in cosmetics22
CHAPTER THREE
3.0Materials and method26
3.1Materials 26
3.2Methodology27
3.2.1Sample collection27
3.2.2Digestion of samples 27
3.2.3Preparation of standard solution27
3.2.4Sample preparation 27
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0Results29
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1Discussion31
5.2Conclusion 32
5.3Recommendation 32
References 33
