Biljana M. Kaličanin

A Study of the Possible Harmful Effects of Cosmetic Beauty Products on Human Health

The origins of the usage of different substances in beauty, skin, body, hair, and nails care products can be found in ancient times. To achieve better quality and enhance their effects, some additives such as preservatives, stabilizers, mineral pigments, dye, and shine were added to these products. Some of these substances may also have allergic, irritating, and harmful effects on human health. The aim of this study was the optimization of the potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) for the purpose of determining the content of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc), in some commercial cosmetic beauty products (lipsticks, lip glosses, eye shadows, and henna hair dye). In addition, in order to monitor the potential adverse effects of henna dye on hair quality, as well as the total body burden of heavy metals (Pb, Cd), the paper analyzed hair samples before and after henna dye treatment. Beauty products used for cosmetic purposes can have adverse effects to human health due to the fact that they contain lead, a highly toxic metal. The lead content in the tested samples varied depending on the additives used along with the method of production. The cosmetic products that were analyzed in this study contained a certain amount of zinc, which is an essential element, although its content above the prescribed limit may lead to side effects. Highly toxic metal, cadmium, was not detected in the tested samples. The presence of these metals in cosmetic products certainly indicate that it is necessary to monitor and determinate the content of toxic heavy metals in these products, especially because they are in direct contact with skin or mucous membranes and are often used in daily life.

The content of lead in herbal drugs and tea samples

Heavy metals are highly toxic to living organisms even in low concentrations owing to their cumulative effect. In this study the overall content of lead in herbal drugs was determined, as well as the content of lead which was released from tested drugs during the preparation of tea drinks. To determine the content of toxic lead, the highly sensitive microanalytical technique of the potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) with oxygen as the oxidant was used. The lowest overall content of lead was detected for chamomile and ranged from 0.73 to 0.77 µg/g, while the greatest content of lead was determined in the samples of the frangula bark, and yielded approximately 3 µg/g. The lead content in the prepared tea drinks ranged from 0.26 to 1.23 µg/g and depended on the manner in which tea drink was prepared. All of the herbal drugs in this study contain a certain amount of the toxic metal lead, but at the same time, the contents were below the levels prescribed for this metal. The content of lead released from the herbal drug into the tea drink was three to five times lower than those of the overall content of this metal.

The Release of Zinc, Copper, Lead, and Cadmium from the Mineral Tissue of Teeth under the Influence of Soft Drinks and Sour-Tasting Food

This study was carried out with the aim of identifying the effects of consuming sour-tasting food and refreshing drinks on the bone tissue of teeth among teenagers. The cumulative effect of a year-long exposure of teeth to the erosive effects of a model system of acidic media (citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, apple vinegar, lemonade, the soft drink Sprite, mineral water) was studied. The effects were registered based on the amount of released biometal ions, of zinc and copper, and toxic lead, during a period of 24 hr at room temperature, using the potentiometric stripping analysis. In the given time span, amounts ranging from 75 to 750 ppm of zinc, from 0.1 to 1.0 ppm of copper, and up to 1.5 ppm of lead were released from the dental matrix, while the release of cadmium was below the level of detection. The changes to the mineral structure of the bone tissue were monitored by the Fourier’s transformation infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy technique. These studies have shown that under the influence of an acidic medium significant erosion to the tooth enamel ensues and that the eroded surfaces had a radius of 1–5 μm.

Prediction of gas chromatographic retention indices based on Monte Carlo method

A new method for the prediction of retention indices using Monte Carlo method and based on local graph invariants and SMILES notation of studied compounds has been presented. Very satisfactory results were obtained with the proposed method, since robust model with good statistical quality was developed. The predictive potential of the applied approach was tested and the robustness of the model was proven with different methods. The best calculated QSPR model had following statistical parameters: r2=0.8097 for the training set and r2=0.9372 for the test set. Structural indicators defined responsible for the increases and decreases of gas chromatographic retention indices activity have been calculated.

Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in the Soil from Different Locations of Medicinal Herbs

SUMMARY Medicinal herbs and their mixtures, which are widely used for prevention and treatment of some disease, can also present health risks due to the presence of toxic metals such as Pb and Cd. The application of different agrotechnical practices during plant growing season, as well as the process of circulation of substances in nature, may be the cause of plant contamination. The aim of this study was to determine the content of lead, cadmium and copper from soil which are bioavailable for absorption by plant, as well as the total content of these metals in some medicinal herbs that were cultivated in two different locations. The presence of these metals in the samples was detected using highly sensitive microanalytical technique potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA). The mean value of lead total content in the analyzed samples of medicinal herbs Chamimillae flos, Urticae folium, Menthae folium, Altheae radix and Basilici herba, which were grown at the sites near the industrial zone, was about 1.55 μg/g, 1.82 μg/g, 1.90 μg/g, 1.99 μg/g and 2.74 μg/g, respectively. Contrary to this, the total content of this toxic metal in the analyzed plant samples grown on rural areas was detected only on some sites. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that medicinal herbs contained a certain amount of lead and that its content varied depending on the location at which the plant species were grown as well as on plant affinity to certain metal. Cadmium and copper were not detected in the tested plant material. Sažetak Pored pozitivnog efekta koje mogu imati po ljudski organizam, pojedine lekovite biljke, kao i njihove mešavine, mogu predstavljati rizik po zdravlje usled prisustva toksičnih metala kao što su Pb i Cd. Do kontaminacije lekovitog bilja ovim metalima može doći usled primene različitih agrotehničkih mera tokom njihovog vegetacionog perioda, kao i procesom kruženja materije u prirodi. Cilj ovog rada bio je određivanje i praćenje sadržaja olova, kadmijuma i bakra u zemljištu koji su biodostupni biljci za apsorpciju, kao i ukupan sadržaj ovih metala u pojedinim lekovitim biljkama koje su gajene na dve različite lokacije. Prisustvo ovih metala u ispitivanim uzorcima određeno je primenom visoko osetljive mikro-analitičke tehnike, potenciometrijske striping analize (PSA). Srednja vrednost totalnog sadržaja olova u analiziranim uzorcima kamilice (Chamimillae flos), koprive (Urticae folium), nane (Menthae folium), belog sleza (Altheae radix) i bosiljka (Basilici herba), koji su gajeni u blizini industrijske zone, bila je oko 1,55μg/g, 1,82μg/g, 1,90μg/g, 1,99μg/g i 2,74μg/g, respektivno. Sa druge strane, totalan sadržaj Pb u uzorcima samoniklog bilja u ruralnom području, detektovan je samo na nekim lokacijma ovog područja. Na osnovu rezultata u ovoj studiji, može se zaključiti da medicinsko bilje sadrži određenu količinu olova, a sadržaj ovog elementa varira u zavisnosti od lokacije na kojoj se ispitivane biljne vrste uzgajaju, kao i od njihovog afiniteta prema datom elementu. U analiziranim uzorcima medicinskog bilja kadmijum i bakar nisu detektovani.

Copper Release from Dental Prosthetic Crowns, Dental Materials, and Human Teeth into Acetic Acid

This article examines the dilution of the ion of copper from human teeth and dental prosthetic crowns in 4% CH3COOH during a period of 24 hr at room temperature. The content of the diluted copper in an acetate extract, as well as the overall content of this metal in the samples, was determined by means of a potentiometric stripping analysis. The comparative measurements were carried out using the furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique, which is recommended by the International Standards (ISO 6872:2008; ISO 24234:2004) as a method for quality control of dental-prosthetic material (dental ceramic, metal restorative materials, dental amalgams) in the process of checking for heavy metals. During a 24-hr period in 4% CH3COOH at a temperature of 25°C, ∼72% of the overall copper was released from the tooth. The percentage of the released copper from baby teeth is higher, ranging from 88 to 92%, which is probably a consequence of the bone tissue being in development, its infirmity, and inadequate stability. On these conditions, ∼72% of the overall copper was released from the dental-ceramic prosthetic crowns.

Influence of saliva medium on freeing heavy metal ion from fixed dentures

In dental-prosthetic practice, various kinds of fixed dentures, crowns and bridges, have very often been used in order to replace natural teeth and to respond to all health and esthetic needs. This study investigated the effect of saliva medium on migration of ions of heavy metals from fixed dentures that were fixed with various cements. Also, the influence of saliva medium on natural human teeth was observed. Potentiometric stripping analysis was used in order to determine the content of toxic heavy metals in the examined samples. The study confirmed that synthetic saliva had no significant influence on heavy metal ion migration from the natural teeth, whereas slight migration of some observed toxic heavy metal ions from the fixed dentures was present. This, however, indicates that these contents, although very low, must be taken seriously, because the above mentioned metals have cumulative effect which after some period of time may lead to functional disorders of some organs, and even to some very serious diseases.

The Application of the Potentiometric Stripping Analysis to Determine Traces of M(II) Metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in Bioinorganic and Similar Materials

The development and application of new technologies in all spheres of life and work carries with it the ever-increasing pollution of the environment through harmful and toxic substances. Pesticides and heavy metals are among some of the more prominent pollutants of the environment. Heavy metals significantly contribute to human environment pollution due to the impossibility of their biodegradation, and because some of them have cumulative toxic properties. Sources of contamination by means of metals are numerous, the most important ones being combustion products in the chemical industry and metallurgy, industrial waste waters and landfills, agrochemicals, and exhaust gasses of motor vehicles. People are, therefore, exposed to toxic metals that act both directly through the contaminated air and drinking water, and indirectly through the soil, underground waters and poisoned plants and animals found in food, the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Copper and zinc are essential bioelements which, in addition to their biological role and their importance for the development of the human body, also have a toxic effect when found in amounts higher than normal in the human body. Lead and cadmium are highly toxic metals, even when found only in traces (Goyer, 1997; Goyer & Klaassen, 1995). Copper is one of the essential biometals necessary for the growth, development and normal functioning of the human body, for the synthesis of hemoglobin, melanin, and the mineralization and development of bones. The lack of copper can lead to serious illnesses. Nevertheless, its presence in the human body in values greater than 10-6 mol/dm3 inhibits certain enzymes, which hinders the bonding of other essential microelements, or even leads to bonding with certain cofactors. The increased content of copper in the human body leads to coronary and vascular disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertension and various forms of damage to the central nervous system (Uauy, et al., 1998; Hart, et al. 1928; Chapman, 2008). Zinc is an essential oligoelement which is found in significant amounts in the human body (0.02 – 0.03 g/kg of body weight). It is necessary for the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids, DNA replication, the human reproductive ability, and maintaining high level healthy immune function. A shortage of zinc in the human body can lead to the harmful effect of

CHAPTER 11:Teeth–Saliva Migration of Fluoride Ions and Health Implications

The main biological role of fluorine in the human body is its participation in bone, tooth enamel and dentin formation. Bone mineralization process occurs together with the generation of fluoroapatite, which prevents the release of calcium and other minerals deposited in the bones. The insufficient fluoride intake at any age increases the risk of dental caries. Because of that, fluoride is widely used in dentistry. It is an integral part of some dental fillings, solutions, gels and pastes that are used for teeth fluoridation with the intent to control and prevent dental caries. Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are materials that are currently used in dental orthopedic practice with the aim of filling or sealing deep alveoli and fissures of teeth. The cariostatic potential of GIC depends on both the amount of fluoiride released, and the duration of the process of releasing fluoride ions from these materials. As the amount of the fluorides released from the GIC decreases with time, reflouridation of these materials is recommended 2 to 3 weeks after the tooth restoration. Also, mouthwash with a low concentration of fluoride may be used for a reflouridation of the glass ionomer fillings.