Title: Studies of radioactive contaminations and heavy metal contents in cosmetics

Authors: Hayam Ahmed Abdel-Ghany; Fatma Ragab

Addresses: Physics Department, Faculty of Women for Art, Science and Education, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt ' Physics Department, Faculty of Women for Art, Science and Education, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: Measurement of radioactivity in cosmetics such as face powders and eye liner (kohl) has not been reported so far. Herein gamma ray spectrometry and CR-39 solid state nuclear track detector have been used to investigate six cosmetics of different brands. The results have demonstrate that the average values of specific activities of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were 12.66±2.96, 14.58±8.83 and 269±120 Bqkg⁻¹, respectively. Also the average radon exhalation rate was 0.21±0.04 Bqm⁻²h⁻¹. The calculated radium-equivalents were lower than recommended value (370 Bqkg⁻¹). The absorbed dose rates due to the natural radioactivity of the investigated samples ranged from 6.83±2.6 to 99.5±51 nGyh⁻¹. Also, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry studies showed that the concentrations of the heavy Mo, Sr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, Rb, As, Zr and Cr were 4±0.96, 26.93±12.24, 110135±109973, 672.98±433, 1001±722, 318±145, 3847±790, 60±25, 24.71±13, 9002±4210, 24.71±18 and 153±72 ppm, respectively.

Keywords: cosmetics; atomic absorption; gamma ray spectrometry; solid state nuclear track detector; radon exhalation; radioactive contaminations; heavy metals; radioactivity; face powder; eye liner; kohl; low radiation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2016.081451

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2016 Vol.10 No.3, pp.181 - 197

Received: 07 Jan 2015
Accepted: 18 Feb 2015
Published online: 09 Jan 2017 *

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