Evaluation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in selected cosmetic products from Jordanian, Sudanese, and Syrian markets

Abstract Objectives There is no sufficient data that evaluate heavy metal content in cosmetic products in Jordan as well as Sudan and Syria. This study aims to assess metal levels which include Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) in cosmetic products. These elements have draft limits because they are identified as potential impurities and are known to be toxic. This study aims to provide information to the population that may be beneficial to public health. Study design Samples were collected from different brands obtained from markets in Jordan, Sudan, and Syria. Some of the selected cosmetic products were eyeliner, eye pencil, mascara, lipstick, powder, face cream, body cream, sun block, Vaseline, and the traditional eye cosmetic (kohl). The heavy metal content in these samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Based on analysis of variance analysis, a significant difference in heavy metal levels was found for samples obtained from Jordanian and Sudanese markets. Methods The acid digestion method used in this study was based on procedures recommended by Nnorom et al. with some modifications as follows. (i) A weight of 2.0 g of cosmetic sample was dissolved in a mixture of 6 mL of high quality concentrated 69% nitric acid (HNO3 ; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and 4 mL of concentrated 37% hydrochloric acid (Scharlau, Spain) in a porcelain crucible and heated on a hotplate to near dryness. (ii) An aliquot of 15 mL HNO3 (1.00 M) was added to the digested sample and filtered through a Whatman No. 40 filter paper. (iii) The digested sample was transferred quantitatively into a 25 mL volumetric flask and then diluted with deionized water. (iv) Each digested sample was evaporated at 70 °C to about 1 mL and transferred into a polyethylene flask and diluted with 25 mL deionized water. (v) Blank was treated in the same procedure. Results In Jordan the concentration ranges of heavy metals in the collected samples were: Cd (0.03–0.10 μg/g), Cr (0.0–1.00 μg/g), Cu (0.60–7.40 μg/g), Ni (0.50–3.60 μg/g), and Pb (0.30–15.4 μg/g). Whereas, in Sudanese market the concentration ranges were: Cd (0.01–0.15 μg/g), Cr (0.00–27.9 μg/g), Cu (0.60–10.10 μg/g), Ni (0.00–5.70 μg/g), and Pb (0.02–3.80 μg/g). Also, the concentration ranges of heavy metals in Syrian market were: Cd (0.04–0.056 μg/g), Cr (0.24–0.83 μg/g), Cu (0.61–1.27 μg/g), Ni (0.73–1.41 μg/g), and Pb (4.85–27.70 μg/g). Results revealed that kohl samples have the hi