Risk of human exposure to metals in some household hygienic products in Nigeria

Assessing Trace Metal-Based Human Health Risks for Commonly Used Body Soaps in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, body soaps are very popular among consumers due to their flavors and low alkali content. The current study assesses the contamination of several trace metals (TMs) such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in some of the body soaps most commonly used in Bangladesh. The concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, and Mn were found within the acceptable limits stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO); however, in contrast, the concentrations of Ni, Cd, and Pb remained below the detection limit. Notably, the concentration of Cr in two soap samples (S-2, S-3) out of twenty-one soap samples exceeded the permissible limit stipulated by the WHO. Health risks associated with the TM intake via dermal routes were evaluated in terms of chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ). The results indicated that no non-carcinogenic risks (NCR) are likely to occur owing to the use of those body soaps. The carcinogenic risk (CR) estimated for Cr revealed no possibility of probable carcinogenic diseases. Though the NCR and CR are unlikely to occur resulting from the long-term uses of these soaps, the present study provides baseline information on the possible contaminations of TMs in the beauty soaps that do not seem to have been reported so far in Bangladesh. In light of the above information, it can be concluded that the presence of TMs in the body soaps could be a warning for people in general thereby suggesting continuous monitoring.

Comparative chemical analysis of Indigenous Nigerian soaps with conventional ones

This study compared the chemical properties of the indigenous Nigerian soaps with the conventional soaps in order to determine whether or not they met acceptable standards. The locally made soaps were obtained from markets in Ile-Ife, Osun State and Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria. The soap samples were acid digested and trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Hg) in the digested samples were profiled using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Documented techniques were adopted to analyze the soaps for pH, moisture content, free fatty acid, chloride content, free caustic alkali, matters insoluble in water and ethanol. The margin of safety (MoS) and hazard index (HI) associated with the use of the soaps were also evaluated. The locally made soaps had higher physicochemical properties than the conventional soaps. Mercury (Hg) had the highest concentration in the locally made soaps ranging from 106.50 ± 0.23–273.58 ± 0.49 μg/g and 46.35 ± 0.22–55.12 ± 0.65 μg/g in the conventional soaps, while Cd had the least concentration in the locally made soaps ranging from 2.95 ± 0.45–6.05 ± 0.60 μg/g and 2.88 ± 0.11–5.20 ± 0.60 μg/g in the conventional soaps. Although highly mercuric soaps are known to kill bacteria and fungi, the observed MoS (<100) and HI (>1) indicated that the soaps might be safe if only restricted to occasional use by adults and children. A careful preliminary investigation and selection of the raw materials used in the production of indigenous soaps should be considered a necessary step.

Assessment of the toxicity and biochemical effects of detergent processed cassava on renal function of Wistar rats

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The acute toxicity showed increase mortality with increased detergent concentration.

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Plasma and urine creatinine and urea was found to be high in the treated rats.

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Renal photomicrographs showed distorted pattern of corpuscles and tubules.

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The practice of adding detergent to cassava should be discontinued.

Fufu is a major component of food in West Africa. Local cassava farmers use detergent to ferment cassava root tuber during processing into fufu. Studies have established the hazardous health effects of detergent in humans. This study was carried out to determine the median lethal toxicity of detergent-processed cassava, and assessed its effects on the renal function of male Wistar rats. Fufu with different concentrations of detergent (250, 500 and 750 g/l) were given as food twice daily to the rats for the acute toxicity study. The sub-chronic test lasted for four weeks, during which the fufu samples prepared with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 g/l of detergent, were separately given to five groups of five rats, respectively. The results of the acute toxicity test showed increase in mortality with corresponding increase in detergent concentration. Plasma and urine creatinine and urea concentrations of all the detergent-treated rats were significantly higher than that of the negative and positive controls. Urinalysis showed significant presence of glucose and ketone bodies, as well as, blood and protein. Renal photomicrographs showed deranged cortical structure with diffuse loss of tubules, inflammatory cells infiltrate in the interstitium. The study concluded that detergent-processed cassava has adverse effects on the structure and function of the kidneys of rats.