Make up products’ trace elements content development of an analytical method and toxic effect in selected cosmetics in the Italian market

A new method for the determination of five trace metals (Pb, Co, Cd, Cr and Ni) in make-up products was developed. Pb content was measured by F-AAS, while the quantification of Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni was performed by ICP-MS. 90 cosmetic products were analysed and only Pb and Cd were always lower than metals limits for cosmetic products, proposed by ISS. The metal concentrations found allowed to evaluate the risk levels of exposure to these elements. Except for a few cases, the calculated margin of safety MOS, MOE and LCR values were all below the risk threshold levels. Based on the maximum concentrations of metals determined in cosmetic samples, the SED ranged from 8.00x10-12 to 3.39x10-7 mg/kg/d. The risk was also described from the HI. Except MOE of Cr in eyeshadow, the metals in each cosmetic product show an MOE higher than the threshold limit. The EDI due to exposure to Cr, Pb, Co and Ni for average users in the lipstick products were evaluated. The EDI values were compared to the ADI to calculate the RII (%). For Pb, Co and Ni the RII (%) were 0.01-0.21, 0.00-0.05 and 0.06 %, respectively. Therefore, the metal concentrations in lip cosmetic products do not reveal potential public health concerns.