Abstract:
This study aimed to identify the heavy metals in cosmetics powder using
the Inductively Coupled Plasma / Optical Emission Spectroscopy
technique (ICP-OES). This method gives a clear picture of the powder
ingredients of cosmetics. The emission spectra were analyzed using the
Atomic Spectrometer Database, published by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology. (NIST)
In this technique, liquid samples are injected into the argon plasma using
one of the sampling techniques and the sample spray that quickly reaches
the plasma is quickly dried and activated. The emission from the plasma
is then seen and collected by a lens or mirror and photographed to the
input of the wavelength selection device . The principle used in the
inductively coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy is When
plasma energy is given to an analysis sample from outside, the
component elements (atoms) are excited. When the excited atoms return
to low energy position, emission rays (spectrum rays) are released and the
emission rays that correspond to the photon wavelength are measured.
The element type is determined based on the position of the photon rays,
and the content of each element is determined based on the rays intensity.
A total of nineteen cosmetic samples marketed under different brand
names and widely used by Sudanese women for cosmetic purposes (ICPOES)
were analyzed. The results showed that the samples contain the
following elements: Barium, boron, manganese, iron, copper, aluminum,
calcium, erbium and zinc. The results also showed no mercury, lead,
nickel and cadmium in the test samples Where the results for the first
group showed that the common metal in the test samples is calcium.
Samples 1 and 2 contain iron, barium, manganese and copper back only
in sample 1. The boron appeared only in sample 2, whereas the arbium
only appeared in sample 3.
For the second group the results showed that the heavy metals found in
some cosmetics are zinc and calcium. While iron is common in samples
1, 2 and 3, samples 1 and 3 cont ain barium, while samples 2 and 3
contain manganese, aluminum is shown only in the third sample.
In summary, this study showed the presence of heavy metals in the
cosmetics used in Sudan, which poses a danger to the health of the user
must be corrected.
