To measure heavy metals (Lead, cadmium, arsenic) in lipsticks in Kurdistan province

Background and Aim: Nowadays using different kinds of cosmetics is prevalent among Iranian women. Mostly the consumers of these cosmetics just consider the beauty side and don t regard the likely risks on their health and presence of heavy metal of them. This study tries to measure heavy metals (Lead, cadmium, arsenic) in lipsticks in Kurdistan province. Methods: Different brands of liquid and solid lipsticks were provided in order to measure heavy metals (Lead, cadmium, arsenic)and concentrations were measured by using atomic absorption machine in the scale of µg/g of dry weight. Results: On average, the concentration of lead in solid samples is more than liquid one and the concentration of arsenic, on average, in liquid samples is more than solid one and regarding cadmium the solid samples are more than liquid ones.Conclusion: According to the results of this study the concentration of lead and cadmium is more than the limit. Regarding the problems that heavy metals can make for human safety, some essential safety guidelines and actions to control importing low quality cosmetics to the country should be done and a national standard regarding the permissible limit of lead, cadmium, arsenic being distributed and produced in the country should be formulated.