Determination and risk assessment of toxic metals in lipsticks from Europe and China.

BACKGROUND: The presence of toxic toxic metals in lipstick can pose a health risk to many consumers of this type of cosmetics, especially for women. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess consequences attributed to dermal and oral exposure to toxic metals in lipsticks manufactured in China and Europe as determined by non-cancer and cancer risks assessment models from SCCS and USEPA, respectively. METHOD: The treatment of the samples was carried out by calcination using muffle furnaces and the determination of Al, Cd and Pb were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). CONCENTRATIONS: The concentration of Cd and Pb in the study samples does not exceed the limits stablished for the FDA (00,228 mg kg-1·day-1 for Cd and 000,343 mg kg-1·day-1 for Pb, respectively) but they do not comply with the Regulation of the European Parliament, which prohibits the presence of these two metals in cosmetics. Neither European Union nor United States have established maximum levels for Al in cosmetics. CONCLUSIONS: The cancer risk assessment of Cd and Pb metals resulted in a total cancer risk less than 1. The results of non-cancer oral risk assessment for Pb had a MoS result of 88 for China and 62 for Europe, suggesting that Pb poses a risk for the human health, especially in samples manufactured in Europe.

Human exposure to fluoride from tea (Camellia sinensis) in a volcanic region-Canary Islands, Spain.

Fluoride is highly present in the environment, especially in water and its derivatives. Excessive fluoride contribution to diet poses a health risk. Tea leaves accumulate fluoride and the consumption of tea (Camellia sinensis) could pose a risk to human by the excessive fluoride intake. Ninety tea samples were analyzed by potentiometry using a selective fluoride ion electrode. Mixed tea samples (2.82 ± 1.11 mg/L) and black tea samples (2.28 ± 0.79 mg/L) recorded the highest fluoride levels. The contribution of drinking water is important for increasing fluoride levels in teas. The daily consumption of two cups (250 mL per cup) of mixed and black teas prepared with La Laguna tap water does pose a health risk for children (4-8 years old) because of the high contribution percentages (74.4% and 63.6%, respectively) of the Tolerable Upper Intake Level set in 2.5 mg/day by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). A minor consumption in children (4-8 years old) and adults during pregnancy is advisable.

Metal Contents in the Most Widely Consumed Commercial Preparations of Four Different Medicinal Plants (Aloe, Senna, Ginseng, and Ginkgo) from Europe.

Medicinal plants like Aloe barbadensis, Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, and Cassia angustifolia are being increasingly used but self-medication is a major public health challenge because of their numerous interactions. Furthermore, dietary exposure to metals through the consumption of these commercial preparations should be evaluated. Some of these metals may have a nutritional interest but others are metals of toxicological relevance. The content of essential and toxic metals has been analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in 80 samples of both organically and conventionally grown aloe, senna, ginseng, and ginkgo pharmaceutical formats to establish their metallic profile, to evaluate their nutritional value and to assess the toxic metal risk resulting from their consumption. Ca (9181 mg/kg ww) in senna, Fe (30.0 mg/kg ww) in ginseng, and Al (15.7 mg/kg ww) in ginseng are noteworthy. The consumption of 9 g/day of ginkgo represents 6.44% of the RDI set for Ca. The consumption of 25 mL/day of aloe syrup is 3.06% (men) and 1.52% (women) of the RDI of Fe. Al exposure from 25 mL/day of aloe consumption is 2.71% of its TDI. Considering the dosages recommended by the manufacturers, the intake of toxic metals does not pose a health risk but the intake of essential metals is worth mentioning.

A total diet study of nickel intake in a Spanish population (Canary Islands).

The aim of this study was to analyse nickel content in foods and beverages most commonly consumed by the Canary Island people to determine the dietary intake of this metal throughout the Canary Islands as a whole and in each of the seven islands. A total of 440 samples were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Nickel concentrations ranged between 2.348 ± 1.716 mg/kg in nuts and 0.002 ± 0.002 mg/l in water. Estimated total intake of nickel was 0.093 mg/day for the Canary population, which is far below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) established for adults. Gran Canaria turned out to be the island with the highest nickel intake. Differential analysis of nickel intake by age and sex of the Canary Island community showed that values were below the UL in children as well as in adults. These outcomes were compared with data from other populations at the national and international levels.

Dietary intake of aluminum in a Spanish population (Canary Islands).

The aim of this study was to analyze the aluminum content in foods and beverages most commonly consumed by the Canary Island population to determine the dietary intake of this metal throughout the Canary Islands as a whole and in each of the seven islands (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro). Four hundred and forty samples were analyzed by ICP-OES. Estimated total intake of aluminum for the Canary population was 10.171 mg/day, slightly higher than the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI; 10 mg/day for a person weighing 70 kg). Aluminum intake by age and sex of the Canary Island population was also determined and compared values from other populations, both national and international.

Daily dietary intake of iron, copper, zinc and manganese in a Spanish population.

To evaluate the daily dietary intake of essential metals in the Canary Islands, the iron, copper, zinc and manganese contents in 420 food and drink samples collected in local markets were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The estimated daily dietary intakes of iron, copper, zinc and manganese are 13.161 mg/day, 2.098 mg/day, 8.954 mg/day and 2.372 mg/day, respectively. The iron dietary intake was found to be below the recommendations fixed for adult women, while the copper and manganese dietary intakes fulfilled the Recommended Dietary Allowances. The mean daily intake of zinc was below the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Cereals were found to be the food group that contributed most to the intake of these metals. While the island of El-Hierro presented iron, copper, zinc and manganese mean intakes over the estimated intakes for the whole archipelago, Fuerteventura island showed the lowest intakes. Tenerife and Fuerteventura showed the lowest iron intakes, being below the recommendations.