Potentially toxic elements in costume cosmetics used by children and adults are associated with Cancer risk
Open accessAbstract
(1) Background: Costume cosmetics, such as face paints and pancakes, are used by adults and children during Halloween, Carnival, or children’s parties. However, the metallic-based pigments used as dyes in these products may contain toxic elements associated with different levels of exposure. Objectives: (a) to determine the Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Sr concentrations in face paints and pancakes; and (b) to estimate cancer and non-cancer risks posed by the concentrations of each element in these products for dermal and ingestion exposure scenarios during children and adult use. (2) Methods: A total of 95 samples of face paints and pancakes (four brands in different textures and colors) were purchased at the largest high-street commercial center in São Paulo city, Brazil. An extraction procedure with nitric acid was carried out using a graphite-covered digester block. Toxic element determinations were performed using an ICP-MS. (3) Results: The non-cancer risks estimated were lower than 1, except for dermal exposure in adults for some target systems. High cancer risk values raise concerns in both groups. The risk for children ranged from 10−8 to 10−5 and proved higher in cases of accidental exposure by ingestion. For occupational exposure in adults, cancer risks were even higher, ranging from 10−3 to 10−5, with the highest values associated with dermal exposure. (4) Conclusions: The study results suggest the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in cosmetics should be regulated/monitored to protect human health, especially for occupational exposure and use by children.
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The presence of certain chemicals in cosmetics has the potential to disrupt the delicate balance of hormones within the body, a phenomenon closely associated with the initiation and progression of cancer.
“Furthermore, the presence of certain chemicals in cosmetics has the potential to disrupt the delicate balance of hormones within the body, a phenomenon closely associated with the initiation and progression of cancer (111).”
From The dark side of beauty: an in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products (2024) · cites this paper as [111]
The Discussion (page not provided) reports elevated cancer-risk estimates from exposure to potentially toxic elements in costume cosmetics. It does not link that risk to hormone disruption or address cancer initiation and progression through a hormonal mechanism; searches for endocrine and hormonal disruption found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredRegular use of multiple cosmetics over protracted periods can result in repetitive exposure to relatively low levels of potentially carcinogenic compounds; over time, these exposures accumulate and may contribute significantly to the development of cancer.
“Regular use of multiple cosmetics over protracted periods can result in repetitive exposure to relatively low levels of potentially carcinogenic compounds. Over time, these exposures accumulate and may contribute significantly to the development of cancer, making the long-term effects of such exposure particularly disconcerting.”
From The dark side of beauty: an in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products (2024) · cites this paper as [111]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Alnuqaydan, A. M. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1439027 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
- Authors
- Salles, F. J., Paniz, F. P., Batista, B. L., Nardocci, A. C., & Olympio, K. P. K.
- Affiliations
- Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
- Universidade Federal do ABC (BR)
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira Cesar, São Paulo 01246-904, Brazil
- Corresponding author
- Olympio, Kelly Polido Kaneshiro
- ORCID
- Venue
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2022-12-28
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 531
- ISSN
- 1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC9819701
- OpenAlex
- W4313327720
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 2
- FWCI
- 1.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- São Paulo Research Foundation (#2016/11087-8, #2018/18391-0, #2017/25424-9, #314637/2021-4)
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (#2016/11087-8, #2018/18391-0, #2017/25424-9, #314637/2021-4)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Heavy metals in environment
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Analytical Chemistry › Heavy Metals in Plants
- Keywords
- potentially toxic elements, face paint, metallic pigments, cancer risk, non-carcinogenic risk, dermal exposure, oral exposure, occupational exposure, children's exposure, heavy metals, lead, cadmium, arsenic
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Brazil, Child, Cities, Environmental Monitoring, Humans, Neoplasms, Occupational Exposure, Risk Assessment, Metals, Heavy
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