Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Hair Gal Cosmetic Products by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer from Benghazi-Libya Markets and their Microbiological Detection

Abstract

This study investigated the concentrations of selected heavy metals-Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), and Manganese (Mn), in hair gel products. The samples were collected in April 2023 from markets in Benghazi, a city in eastern Libya. After wet digestion, the samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean concentrations observed in the cosmetic samples of hair gel ranged from 0.04±0.03 to 0.66±0.12 mg/kg for Pb; 0.04±0.02 to 0.20±0.07 mg/kg for Cd; 0.00 to 0.15±0.10 mg/kg for Cr; 0.00 to 0.24±0.10 mg/kg for Mn; and 0.11±0.00 to 1.13±0.32 mg/kg for Zn. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results revealed detectable levels of all heavy metals in the products, ordered as Zn > Cd > Cr > Pb > Mn. All study samples were subjected to microorganism analysis, and the results were negative, indicating they were free of any bacterial contamination. However, the chemical analysis showed that the levels of Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Mn in most study samples were lower than the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), except for three samples that had high levels of cadmium. Although most hair metal concentrations were below reference values, the high-risk quotients (RQs) in hair creams indicate potential systemic exposure risks. These findings underscore the need for stricter regulatory oversight and routine monitoring of cosmetic products to safeguard consumer health.