Affiliations 

  • 1 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Benghazi, 16063 Benghazi, Libya. aiman.bobaker@uob.edu.ly
  • 2 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Benghazi, 16063 Benghazi, Libya. intisar.alakeili@uob.edu.ly
  • 3 School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia. sukiman.sarmani@gmail.com
  • 4 Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Lulea University of Technology, 97187 Lulea, Sweden. nadhir.alansari@ltu.se
  • 5 Sustainable Developments in Civil Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. yaseen@tdtu.edu.vn
PMID: 31159472 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16111957

Abstract

Henna and walnut tree bark are widely used by Libyan women as cosmetics. They may contain lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As), which, in turn, pose a high risk to their health. This study aims to determine the levels of Pb, Cd and As in henna and walnut tree bark products sold in Libyan markets. The products were analyzed for their Pb, Cd and As content by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after a microwave acid digestion. The results showed a significant difference between the henna and walnut tree bark samples in terms of their heavy metals content (p < 0.05). The highest heavy metal concentrations were observed in the walnut tree bark samples whereas the lowest was observed in the henna samples. In addition, 60% of the henna and 90% of the walnut tree bark samples contained Pb levels and approximately 80% of the henna and 90% the walnut tree bark samples contained Cd levels, which are much higher than the tolerance limit. However, As concentrations in all the samples were lower. The results indicated that such cosmetics expose consumers to high levels of Pb and Cd and hence, to potential health risks. Thus, studying the sources and effects of heavy metals in such cosmetics is strongly recommended.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.