Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) for Tracing the Levels of Heavy Metals in Lipstick

Abstract

Analysis of lipstick for heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was carried out. A total of 30 lipsticks from different brand categories sold in the local markets in Khon Kaen province of Thailand were included in this study. The lipstick samples were extracted with a chloroform/methanol/nitric acid/water solution (50:20:15:15, v/v/v/v) at ambient temperature for 48 h and subjected to ICP-OES analysis. The lipstick samples were free of mercury while lead and cadmium were detected. Lead content was detected in all lipstick samples with a concentration range of 1.991-19.186 mg/kg whereas only one lipstick sample was found to contain cadmium (0.035 mg/kg). Even though the level of lead detected in lipsticks in this study was within the safe permissible limit of Thailand and USA, due to its cumulative toxic effects prolonged exposure to lead may cause adverse health problems in pregnant and breastfeeding women since lead could be allocated through placenta and milk.