Evaluation of Human Exposure to metals from some popular brands of underarm cosmetics in Nigeria

The concentrations of metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn and Al) were determined in thirty brands of popular of underarm cosmetics in Nigeria with a view to providing information on the levels of metals and the risk of exposure to metals by humans through long time usage of these products. The concentrations of metals in these samples of underarm cosmetics were measured by using atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. The concentrations of metals in these types of underarm cosmetics studied ranged from <0.15 to 1.2 μg g−1 Cd, <0.02 to 11.2 μg g−1 Pb, <0.03 to 4.9 μg g−1 Ni, <0.1 to 25.0 μg g−1, <0.02 to 2.8 μg g−1 Co, 2.0 to 6.4 μg g−1 Cu, 4.7 to 91.2 μg g−1 Fe, <0.05 to 14.1 μg g−1 Mn, 77.9 to 132 μg g−1 and 69.2 to 83,500 μg g−1 Al. The results of this study indicate that Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr and Co were presents in these types of underarm cosmetics at concentrations below the regulatory control limits for metal impurities in color additives for cosmetics and suggested limits following good manufacturing practice. The estimated margin of safety (MoS) indicated that the concentrations of the examined metals in these underarm cosmetic products present no potential risk to the users. The continuous use of these brands of underarm cosmetics represents a potential source of human exposure to metals such as aluminum in the local area of the breast, particularly to the upper outer quadrant.