Heavy metal in cosmetics and its risk to future generation in remote area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Trarkhel District Sudhnoti.

The widespread use of cosmetic products has raised global concerns regarding their potential toxicity, particularly the heavy metals content. While cosmetics serve economic and aesthetic purposes, their health implications, especially in underdeveloped regions, are becoming increasingly evident. This study investigates the level of toxic heavy metals in both branded and local cosmetic products available in the remote area of Trarkhel, District Sudhnoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan, where specific data on cosmetic contamination with heavy metals and associated health risks are lacking. The presence of these metals, whether as intentional additives or impurities from raw materials, is particularly pronounced in unregulated, locally produced, and potentially counterfeit imported cosmetics, posing significant public health challenges. A total of 30 cosmetic samples, comprising lipsticks, foundations, eye shadows, nail polishes, and others, were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS-700) to determine the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As), manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg). On comparative basis, different brands of lipsticks contain the highest mean concentrations (mg/kg) of Ni (89.3 ± 0.39), Mn (79.8 ± 0.03), Cu (62.1 ± 0.04), Pb (23.3 ± 0.05), Co (13.8 ± 0.03), Cd (1.35 ± 0.01) and Ag (0.73 ± 0.01), whereas branded and local creams had elevated level of Hg (358.53 ± 0.02) followed by Zn ( 1181 ± 0.04), Co (28.9 ± 0.04), Ni (11.0 ± 0.04), Pb (6.21 ± 0.06) Cu (3.52 ± 0.01), As (1.56 ± 0.01), and Cd (1.35 ± 0.01) mg/Kg, with least concentration in Mn and Ag. The level of heavy metals was lower in nail polishes compared to lipsticks and creams. Multivariate analysis suggested a strong correlation among Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd, and Mn, while Cd showed a negative correlation with Co, Ag, and As, and Mn, indicating disparity in distribution and sources of contamination. Health risk assessment further revealed that Margin of Safety (MoS), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI) values fell above the permissible boundaries for most of the lipsticks, creams, and nail polishes. Regarding carcinogenicity, LCR values surpassed the established threshold in all cosmetic products with the exception of lipsticks. The findings emphasise the urgent need for routine monitoring and enforcing strict quality assurance protocols to safeguard the safety of cosmetics, particularly in vulnerable and underdeveloped areas like Trarkhel. This study not only fills a crucial research gap but also provides a foundation for future studies on cosmetic toxicity and public health awareness in rural regions.