Abstract

Riyadh Mohammed Jihad

The content of arsenic, lead and cadmium in different items of cosmetics was estimated using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Twenty samples with four brands (lipstick, foundation, eyeliner and eyeshadow) were chosen from cosmetic stores in Anbar, Iraq. After they have been analyzed, The results revealed that the level of lead in the lipstick, foundation, eyeliner and eyeshadow was within the range of 3.16 - 9.47 , 1.05 – 9.47 , 3.16 – 8.00 and 6.84 – 9.68 μg.g-1 , respectively. The content of lead and cadmium in items used is lower than the permissible limits according to a health Canada establishment. While the arsenic concentration in all items used in this study is higher than the permissible limits according to a health Canada establishment.