Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research

Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research

Risk Assessment of Probable Lead and Mercury Residue in Lipsticks Sold in the Iran Markets

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hadi Rahimzadeh-Barzoki 1, 2
Saeed Aghebat-Bekheir 3
Parisa Sadighara 4
Mahdi Jahanbakhsh 4, 5
Amin Reyhani 6
Amir Sasan Mozaffari Nejad 7, 8
Ali Shahryari 1, 2
Marziyeh Karami 4
Dileep Kumar Yeruva 9
1 Environmental Health Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2 School of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3 Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Environmental Health, Food Safety Division, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Department of Drug and Food Association, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
6 Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
7 Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
8 Bio Environmental Health Hazards Research Center, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
9 Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Denmark Technical University-DTU, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
10.34172/jaehr.1443
Abstract
Introduction: The increasing use of cosmetic products has raised concerns about toxic metal contamination, particularly lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), which may pose health risks to regular consumers. This study investigated Pb and Hg concentrations in six lipstick brands available in the Tehran market to evaluate potential health risks.
Methods: The concentrations of Pb and Hg were measured in the lipstick samples using a furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) and a hydride generator atomic absorption spectrometer (HGAAS), respectively. The samples were first digested in acid solutions. Consumer health risks were then assessed using the Systemic Exposure Dose (SED) and Margin of Safety (MOS) for both once-daily and twice-daily applications.
Results: The mean concentrations of Pb and Hg ranged from 0.14 to 1.7 mg/kg and 0 to 0.065 mg/kg, respectively. The levels of the both elements were found to be below the allowable international standards set by the FDA and WHO. While no risk was observed for Hg across any brand, a health risk for Pb was found in some brands with twice-daily application. Specifically, the MOS value for brand 4 was 1,312 with twice-daily application, which is less than the safe threshold (10,000).
Conclusion: Despite heavy metal levels being within international standards, frequent daily use of these lipsticks may contribute to chronic exposure. Hence, continuous monitoring of heavy metal levels in cosmetic products is essential to protect consumers and prevent potential long-term health effects.
Keywords
Cosmetic safety
Toxic metals
Mercury
Systemic Exposure Dose (SED)
Margin of Safety (MOS)
Tehran market
Subjects
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Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research
Volume 14, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 49-55