Abstract

*Wafa Khalleefah Amhimmid, Salha Ali Fatah and Sarra Sharef Altabeeb

ABSTRACT

Heavy metals exist in our environment, making it difficult to avoid their presence and impact on the human body. Heavy metal toxicity in humans is caused by long-term or high-level exposure to pollutants found in the environment, including the air, water, food, and many consumer products such as cosmetics, one of which is hair dyes. We measured the levels of toxic metals in different hair dye products sold at local shops in Tripoli, Libya, for this study. Five hair dyes were selected as popular brands in Libyan markets. Wet digestion was used to prepare the samples. And the analysis of heavy metals was done by the ICP-MS. Heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ba, As, and Zn were detected in all of the hair dye samples tested. The concentrations of heavy metals in the analyzed hair dyes varied. Also, low concentrations of toxic heavy metals Pb and Cd were detected in all samples. However, these heavy metals are strictly prohibited from being used as a material (EU Directive No. 1223/2009) in the production of cosmetic products, including hair dyes. The majority of the concentrations were above acceptable cosmetic levels. Heavy metals have been shown to cause toxicity in the human body, even at low levels, highlighting the need to strengthen control over cosmetic products by the competent authorities in Libya.