Levels and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Selected Skin-Whitening Creams Marketed in Lafia Town

Augustine Uche Abel; Muhammad Sa'id Abubakar; Hamza Ibrahim Muhammad

doi:10.62050/ljsir2026.v4n2.918

Authors

Augustine Uche Abel
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Muhammad Sa'id Abubakar
muhammad.said@science.fulafia.edu.ng

Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Hamza Ibrahim Muhammad
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Accumulation , Contamination , Cosmetics , Hazardous , Heavy metal , Safe limit

Abstract

The rising popularity of skin-whitening creams in Nigeria raises alarms about potential exposure to harmful metals that may occur either as impurities or as intentionally added ingredients. This study assessed the levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, and lead in various skin-whitening creams available in Lafia Town. Samples from different brands were randomly collected from shops in Lafia Modern Market, pre-treated through acid digestion, and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The findings indicated diverse concentrations of metals across the creams, which were compared with six international standards. Pb, Cr, and Cd were found exceeding the recommended limits of one or more international standards, in at least one of the tested brands. The trend of metal concentrations was recorded as: Cr>Fe>Pb>Cd>Cu. However, there was no statistically significant difference in total metal concentrations across the samples (p = 0.749). Apart from the fear of gradual environmental toxicity, health risk assessments suggested that prolonged use of these products could eventually cause adverse health effects such as dermatitis, kidney toxicity, and cancer risk, since the TCR and HI values for all the samples (A–E) were above the safety zones, posing both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. The HQs and LCRs indicated Cr as the major contributor to those threats. Hence, there is a critical need for regulatory measures, quality assurance in manufacturing, and regular monitoring of cosmetic items in Lafia. Furthermore, an increased effort in consumer education initiatives is required to deter the use of harmful skin-whitening creams and advocate for safer alternatives.

Dimensions

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Levels and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Selected Skin-Whitening Creams Marketed in Lafia Town

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