The Determination of Metals in Cosmetics

The U.S. FDA has not regulated metals in cosmetics except in the case that zirconium is prohibited in aerosol preparations and mercury can only be used (generally as a preservative) when no other alternative is possible. They do have the authority to protect consumers against contamination deemed to be deleterious to health. Proposition 65 in California requires notice when concentrations in a product may cause exposure to hazardous components exceeding a prudent level. A letter from the Attorney General of the State of California discusses the level of concern and calculates that based on documented lipstick use, a concentration of 5 mg/kg would be the level of concern requiring listing.2 The regulations in Canada include statements about heavy metals, and although low concentrations may be difficult to avoid, concentrations above the levels listed in Table 1 (Page 2) require special scrutiny. ICP-Mass Spectrometry A P P L I C A T I O N N O T E