Issue 12, 2015

Determination of Cr(vi) in cosmetic products using ion chromatography with dynamic reaction cell-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS)

Abstract

The chromium(VI) salts are possible contaminants of the chromium(III) pigments used as colorants in face powder and eye shadow preparations. The use of products containing these contaminants poses acute risks for sensitization and contact allergies. Usually, in cosmetics, the levels of hexavalent chromium are very low and should not lead to skin sensitization. However, if a consumer has already been sensitized to Cr(VI) from other sources, the low concentration permitted in cosmetics could arise allergic reactions. In addition to the effect allergenic compounds of Cr(VI) can cause chronic toxicity and have been classified as carcinogenic to humans (IARC). An analytical method to analyze trace levels of chromium(VI) in cosmetic products was developed in this study. The method is based on an extraction of the chromium(VI) from the sample using alkaline extraction in according to method US EPA 3060A developed for soil samples. The Cr(VI) specie present in the extracts were separated by ion chromatography system (IC) and detected using dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS). This method has a limit of quantification for chromium(VI) of 0.11 mg kg−1, an average recovery of 106%. The precision of the method was calculated as 13.2% and 11.5% for 10 ng mL−1 and 20 ng mL−1 of Cr(VI) respectively. Moreover the method shows that the Cr(VI) is stable during the extraction and analytical phases. We applied the optimized method to analyse 4 eye shadows and 1 face powder. One out of 4 of the eye shadow products contained more than 5 mg L−1. This value is higher than the threshold limits for allergic reactivity to Cr(VI).

Graphical abstract: Determination of Cr(vi) in cosmetic products using ion chromatography with dynamic reaction cell-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS)

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Dec 2014
Accepted
17 May 2015
First published
18 May 2015

Anal. Methods, 2015,7, 5269-5274

Author version available

Determination of Cr(VI) in cosmetic products using ion chromatography with dynamic reaction cell-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS)

F. Petrucci and O. Senofonte, Anal. Methods, 2015, 7, 5269 DOI: 10.1039/C4AY03042G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements