Potential consumer exposure to respirable particles and TiO2 due to the use of eyebrow powders.

Hyeon-Ju Oh, Taewon T Han, Gediminas Mainelis

Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology 2021 Nov

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Cosmetic powders contain numerous components, including titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). However, little is known about potential inhalation exposures to particles that are released during cosmetic powder applications. We realistically simulated the application of five different eyebrow powders using a mannequin and then determined concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP), PM10, and PM4 fractions of particles that would be inhaled during powder application. We determined the size and shape of particles in the original powders and released particles, as well as their TiO2 concentrations and Ti content of individual particles. The application of eyebrow powders resulted in the release and inhalation of airborne particles at concentrations ranging from 21.2 to 277.3 µg/m3, depending on the particle fraction and the powder. The concentrations of TiO2 in PM4 and PM10 samples reached 2.7 µg/m3 and 9.3 µg/m3, respectively. The concentration of TiO2 in airborne particle fractions was proportional to the presence of TiO2 in the bulk powder. The application of eyebrow powders results in user exposures to respirable PM4 and PM10 particles, including those containing TiO2. This information should be of interest to stakeholders concerned about inhalation exposure to TiO2. © 2020. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.

Citation

Hyeon-Ju Oh, Taewon T Han, Gediminas Mainelis. Potential consumer exposure to respirable particles and TiO2 due to the use of eyebrow powders. Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology. 2021 Nov;31(6):1032-1046