Assessment of Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Health Risk of Some Marketed Herbal Oils in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the heavy metals, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk of three marketed herbal oils in Port Harcourt.

Study Design: A cross-sectional observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Anal Concept Limited located at 12 Poultry road, Odani Green City Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, between April 2020 and June 2020.

Methodology: The level of cadmium, lead, copper, arsenic and zinc was determined. While the carcinogenic (chronic daily intake and hazard quotient) and non-carcinogenic health risk (incremental lifetime cancer risk) were calculated. The three herbal oils were named sample A, B, and C. The oils were digested with concentrated HCL before quantification of cadmium, arsenic, lead, copper and zinc /using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Then the carcinogenic and non- carcinogenic health risk of each cosmetic were calculated.

Results: The results indicated that the concentrations of lead, cadmium and arsenic exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations, whereas zinc and copper is found below the acceptable limit set by WHO/EU in cosmetic A, B and C with sample A>C>B. The chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient were below the allowable limit for all three cosmetics. The incremental lifetime cancer risk was above the allowable limit of normal for all three cosmetics with cosmetic A > C > B. The results indicated that there are chances of cancer resulting from the use of these cosmetic products due to the build-up of the heavy metals contained in the products.

Conclusion: The result showed that all three different cosmetic brands had cadmium and arsenic levels above the acceptable limit for cosmetic products.