Appl Radiat Isot. 2025 May 9;224:111888. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.111888. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Cosmetic materials are widely used to enhance or alter appearance and skin care, can increase human exposure to various chemicals, including radioactive elements. This study aimed to assess the concentrations of alpha particles in a total of fifteen different powdered cosmetic samples collected randomly from Iraqi Kurdistan markets. Tracks of alpha particles released from radon gas content in cosmetic samples were recorded using passive detector such as CR-39. The chemical etching solution of NaOH 6.25 N was used at 70 °C for 6 h to enlarge and reveal the alpha tracks, then scanned by microscope. The results showed that the range values of concentration level of radon and radium in the analyzed powdered cosmetic samples were 159.12-422.01 Bq. m-3 and 0.48-1.27 Bq. kg-1, respectively. Consequently, the radon concentration values in most studied samples were within the reference limiting range (200-600 Bq. m-3) reported by ICRP. In addition, health risk parameters of annual effective dose (AEDRn), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), lung cancer cases per million people per year (CPPP), the absorbed dose for soft tissues (Ds) and lungs (Dl) were calculated and compared to international standards. The correlation between natural radionuclides concentration and health risk parameters was analyzed statistically using Pearson correlation coefficient. The findings indicate that most of these cosmetic products pose radiation risks. As a result, many of these brands are likely to expose consumers to potential health hazards associated with radiation.
PMID:40367538 | DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.111888
