Cosmetic products containing aluminum

The aluminum containing compound having the largest worldwide market, estimated to be over 30 x 10 t in 1990, is metal grade alumina. Second, is aluminum hydroxide. In 1990 the market for Al(OH)2 should approach or exceed 3.5 million metric tons which is equivalent to 2.3 million tons on an alumina basis. The spHt between additive and feedstock appHcations for Al(OH)2 (16) is roughly 50 50. Additive appHcations include those as flame retardants (qv) in products such as carpets, and to enhance the properties of paper (qv), plastic, polymer, and mbber products. Significant quantities are also used in pharmaceuticals (qv), cosmetics (qv), adhesives (qv), poHshes (qv), dentifrices (qv), and glass (qv). 

The terms FD C, D C, and External D C (Ext. D C), which are part of the name of colorants, reflect the FDA s colorant certification. FD C dyes may be used for foods, dmgs, and cosmetics D C dyes are allowed in dmgs and cosmetics and Ext. D C dyes are permitted only in topical products. Straight colorants include both the organic dyes and corresponding lakes, made by extending the colorant on a substrate such as aluminum hydroxide or barium sulfate. The pure dye content of these lakes varies from 2 to 80% the organic dyes contain over 80% pure dye. Colorants certified for cosmetic use may not contain more than 0.002% of lead, not more than 0.0002% of arsenic, and not more than 0.003% of heavy metals other than lead and arsenic. 

Personal care products that are potential indoor sources of elements include home remedies, underarm antiperspirants, and cosmetics. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are used in many commercial sunscreen products, and zinc oxide (as calamine) has long been recognized for its healing properties (Lansdovm and Taylor 1997). Aerosolized aluminum chlorohydrate, a common antiper-spirant formulation, is one of many potential indoor sources of Al (Fishbein, 1991). Sainio etal., 2000) determined Ni, Pb, Co, As, and Cr concentrations in commercial eyeshadows, and found that 75% of the colors contained more than 5 pg g of at least one of the elements. Lead-containing remedies and cosmetics used by some Middle Eastern and Asian communities are listed by ATSDR (2000). Two Mexican folk remedies which contain Pb are azarcon and greta, which are used to treat empacho, which is a colic-like illness (ATSDR, 2000). 

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