Determination of Heavy Metals in Hair Dye Sale in Iranian Market: Dermal Sensitivity and Carcinogenicity Assessment

Despite the high consumption of cosmetics especially hair dyes in Iran, limited studies have measured human exposure to heavy metals in these products. Therefore, due to the sensitivity of the issue from a health perspective, this study was performed for the purpose of dermal risk assessment of heavy metals in different brands of hair dyes in Kashan region. The present study is an analytical-observational study. In this study, 36 samples of hair dyes from four best-selling brands in Kashan market (Iran) were selected; then the concentration of lead, cadmium, nickel, chrome, and cobalt was measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and reported as mu g g(-1) of dry weight; and finally, a health risk assessment was performed. The heavy metal concentrations in the hair dye samples were 1.825, 0.525, 48.15, 2.975, and 0.575 mu g g(-1) for Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Co respectively that were lower than the permissible limit. Both of HI and LCR were below of 1 and 10(-6) that indicated heavy metal in this study had not probable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for the consumers of these products. An exposure-based sensitization Quantitative Risk Assessment determined an absence of skin-sensitizing potential. However, Cr, Ni, and Co were found at concentrations above the allergenic limit of 5 mu g g(-1). According to the results, although due to low concentrations of toxic metals, there is a low level of exposure to heavy metals in hair dye users, but can cause potential health damage to users.

Automated summary

This study in Kashan, Iran assessed the dermal risk of heavy metals in hair dyes, finding concentrations below permissible limits with no apparent carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic risks. However, some heavy metals exceeded allergenic limits, indicating potential health risks for users.