Assessment Lead Content In Skin Whitening Products Available In Iraqi Markets

Abstract

It seems evident from a wealth of scientific research that Lead is toxic. Becauseof the nature of the Iraqi markets, different brands of skin-lightening creams arewidely available. In this study, 17 skin-lightening cream samples were collectedand analyzed for Lead by atomic absorption spectrometry (ASSP) after an aciddigestion procedure. About 53% of the tested skin-lightening cream samplescontained Lead at levels well above the FDA's acceptable limit of 0.01 ppm. Thesefindings are alarming and have wide legal and educational implications for Iraq inparticular and developing countries in general. Further investigation for possibleadverse health effects is also needed.