Lakhasly

Since the dawn of civilization, cosmetics have constituted a part of routine body care by all set of people1.As a group, heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, cobalt, copper and zinc can build up in the body over time and are known to cause varied health problems,10 which include: cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, neurological prob- lems; memory loss; mood swings; nerve, joint and muscle disorders; cardiovascular, skeletal, blood, immune system, kidney and renal prob- lems; headaches; vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea; lung damage; con- tact dermatitis; and brittle hair and hair loss.The digest was evaporated to al- most dryness and then made up with distilled water to 100 mL. The sample solutions were subsequently analyzed for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, cobalt, mercury and zinc, using an ICP-OES at the SAIF IITM, Chennai.This paper fo- cuses on the analysis of heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) used in cosmetics and its adverse effects.The main sources of heavy metal pollution in the environment are man-made effects, including combustion of fos- sil fuels, mining activities, wastewater discharges of manufacturing industries, and waste disposal6.Significant levels of heavy metals in sediments and soils may pass to the aquatic environment, groundwa- ter, and plants through the transfer processes and uptake by animals and humans leads to accumulation.Women usually attribute their problem to face creams, deodorants, shampoos and eye cleansers whereas men blame aftershaves, deodorants and shower foam and most commonly encounter with headache, nausea and dizziness7.Various organizations viz., Cosmetic Technical Working Group (CTWG), ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, etc., have for- mulated the heavy metal level in cosmetics and which are unavoid- able.Heavy metals like Lead, Arsenic, Chromium, Nickel, Mercury and Cadmium are com- mon contaminants in various cosmetic products4.Heavy metal contamination is one of the most important reasons addressing problem.

Since the dawn of civilization, cosmetics have constituted a part of routine body care by all set of people1. Past few decades has witnessed a rapid growth in cosmetic industries, through production of various types of cosmetics which are needed for care and beautifi- cation of skin, hair, nails, teeth and body2. Although beauty consciousness of people has set the demand for cosmetics in market, the side effects as well as health consciousness of people have at- tracted the health practiticians and researchers to find out the prob- able reason for unusual side effects3. Heavy metal contamination is one of the most important reasons addressing problem. Heavy metals like Lead, Arsenic, Chromium, Nickel, Mercury and Cadmium are com- mon contaminants in various cosmetic products4. This paper fo- cuses on the analysis of heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) used in cosmetics and its adverse effects.
Heavy metals are considered to be one of the main sources of pollution in the environment, because of their significant effects on
the ecological quality5. The main sources of heavy metal pollution in the environment are man-made effects, including combustion of fos- sil fuels, mining activities, wastewater discharges of manufacturing industries, and waste disposal6. Significant levels of heavy metals in sediments and soils may pass to the aquatic environment, groundwa- ter, and plants through the transfer processes and uptake by animals and humans leads to accumulation. Women usually attribute their problem to face creams, deodorants, shampoos and eye cleansers whereas men blame aftershaves, deodorants and shower foam and most commonly encounter with headache, nausea and dizziness7. Therefore, the use of simple and accurate methods for monitoring heavy metals has a great importance among the environmental con- scious researchers. Various organizations viz., Cosmetic Technical Working Group (CTWG), ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, etc., have for- mulated the heavy metal level in cosmetics and which are unavoid- able. This is despite many metals being banned as intentional ingredi- ents in cosmetics in Canada8. Moreover, they are not banned as prod- uct impurities since their presence as such is considered unavoid- able. Especially, an European government agency found carcino- genic impurities in 55 out of 128 products tested in 19989.
As a group, heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, cobalt, copper and zinc can build up in the body over time and are known to cause varied health problems,10 which include:
cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, neurological prob- lems; memory loss; mood swings; nerve, joint and muscle disorders; cardiovascular, skeletal, blood, immune system, kidney and renal prob- lems; headaches; vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea; lung damage; con- tact dermatitis; and brittle hair and hair loss. Many are suspected hormone disruptors and respiratory toxins, and for some like lead, there is no known safe blood level. Yet the awareness and exposure on the adverse effects of heavy metal research is still in its infancy. This research article will help disseminate awareness among the con- sumer not to place in the market on any cosmetic products which are spurious and liable to cause damage to human health when it is ap- plied under normal conditions.
increase of the temperature up to 550 oC over a few hours11. A few drops of concentrated nitric acid were added to the solid as an ashing aid before ashing was commenced. The ash was dissolved with 1M HNO3. Sample such as cream and lotions, which could not be conve- niently processed by dry-ashing, were wet digested with a 4:1 mixture of nitric acid and perchloric acid. The digest was evaporated to al- most dryness and then made up with distilled water to 100 mL. The sample solutions were subsequently analyzed for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, cobalt, mercury and zinc, using an ICP-OES at the SAIF IITM, Chennai.