DETECTION AND SAFETY AWARENESS OF HEAVY METALS IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS FREQUENTLY USED IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Heavymetalscontaminationincosmeticproducts isbecoming animportant healthprobleminboth worldwide and locally at the level of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).The aim of this study was to detectthe concentration of heavy metals in the most commonly used eyeliners purchased in Saudi Arabia. Also, to assesssafetyawarenessoftoxicelementsofmostconcernheavymetalsin cosmetics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed and distributed electronically in Saudi Arabia in November 2015.The questionnairewas conducted on 769 Saudi women aged from15-60 years old that is using cosmetic products. Secondly, 10samples from 10 different types of eyeliners frequently used in Saudi Arabia were digested. The digested sampleswere analyzed for lead, cadmium andmercury using graphite furnace- atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Results:Themajorityofcosmetictypesusedbyparticipantswereeye-linerkohl(73.9%).About(34.59 %) of participants were not aware about heavy metals contents in cosmetics. The heavy metals, cadmium, lead andmercury were detected in all samples with varying concentrations. The level of lead was the highest. There was asignificant difference of cadmium, lead and mercury concentration p< (0.05) in different brands of eyeliner. Therewasstatisticallysignificant difference betweencadmiumandlead alsobetweenmercuryandlead p<0.05ofdifferenteyelinerbrands. Conclusion: It was foundthatthemajorityofparticipantsexpectedthatexpensivecosmeticsaresafe and theypreferred internationalbrandswhichisnotnecessarytobesafe.