Republic of Iraq

Ministry of Higher Education 

and scientific Research 
University of Tikrit 
College of Pharmacy

Carcinogenic Effect of Personal Care Products Ingredients

A Research Submitted to the Council of the College of Pharmacy,

Tikrit University as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the
Degree of Bachelor Science in Pharmacy

By :
Fatima Khalid Mohammed
Manal Mowaffaq Muhammad
Mayada Dhafir Younis

Supervised by :
Assis. Lecturer Hasan Adnan Hashim

2022 A.D 1443 A.H

CHAPTER ONE

2
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

1.1 CANCER
1.1.1 Definition
Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled
way and, in some cases, to metastasize [1] .

Cancer initiation and progression is regarded as a multi-step process, which is

reflected by progressive genetic alterations that drive the transformation of normal
human cells into highly malignant derivates [2] . At least three important classes of
genes play key roles in tumor initiation: proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes,
and genes involved in DNA repair mechanisms. Mutations, amplifications or
deletions in these genes may lead to a de-coupling of biological mechanisms
involved in the regulation of normal cell growth and differentiation [3] .
Initiation follows exposure to mutagens and results in little or no observable
changes in the cellular or tissue morphology but does confer a permanent increase
in susceptibility to cancer formation.

Tumor promotion requires non-mutagenic tissue disruption by wounding or

inflammation and results in formation of a non-malignant tumor which may regress
without further stimulus. Subsequent tumor progression and malignant
transformation requires some additional tissue disruption although much of cellular
evolution in this phase seems to require no external stimulus [4] .

Figure 1 - A brief depiction of initiation, promotion, and progression in the process
of carcinogenesis [5] .

3
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million

deaths in 2020 [6]. The most common in 2020 (in terms of new cases of cancer)
were:

 breast (2.26 million cases);

 lung (2.21 million cases);
 colon and rectum (1.93 million cases);
 prostate (1.41 million cases);
 skin (non-melanoma) (1.20 million cases); and
 stomach (1.09 million cases).

The most common causes of cancer death in 2020 were:

 lung (1.80 million deaths);

 colon and rectum (916 000 deaths);
 liver (830 000 deaths);
 stomach (769 000 deaths); and
 breast (685 000 deaths).

Each year, approximately 400 000 children develop cancer. The most common
cancers vary between countries. Cervical cancer is the most common in 23
countries. 

1.1.2 Etiology of cancer

Initiation and progression of cancer depends on both:
1. External factors in the environment (tobacco, chemicals, radiation and
infectious organisms)
2. Factors within the cell (inherited mutations, hormones, immune
conditions, and mutations that occur from metabolism)
These factors can act together or in sequence, resulting in abnormal cell behavior
and excessive proliferation. As a result, cell masses grow and expand, affecting
surrounding normal tissues, and can also spread to other location in the body [7] .
Cosmetics products since the dawn of civilization are considered a part of routine
body care. During the last few decades these products have had a big boost and
applied to the human body for beautification [8]. The United State Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) estimated 12,500 chemicals used in cosmetics, 20% of them

4
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
are safe according to Cosmetic Ingredient Review, only 11 of them are banned in
US but more than 1300 are banned or restricted in the EU [9].

Millions of people use one or two types of personal care products and their
ingredients on a daily basis. This, of course, exposes them to different chemicals
contained in the personal care products via direct skin contact which often involves
exposure of a large area of the body. This is coupled with prolonged duration of
contact, which may occur due to repeated use of the products.
There are different types of personal care products which include lipstick and lip
gloss (used to color the lips); powder and rouge (used to color the face, lighten and
remove flaws); mascara, eyeliners and eyeshadow (used to color the eyelids); nail
polish (used to color the fingernails and toenails) and different types of both
moisturizing and lightening/toning creams [10].
Phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and triclocarban (TCC) are high production-
volume chemicals that have been reported to possess endocrine-disrupting
potentials. These chemicals are widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer
products as plasticizers and antimicrobials (e.g., Polyvinyl chloride products,
polycarbonate resins, epoxy resins, medical supplies, detergents, lubricants,
personal care products, foodstuffs, and pharmaceuticals) [11] .
Personal care products are a possible source of human exposure to endocrine-
disrupting chemicals, such as (phthalates, parabens, and phenols), heavy metals and
talcum powder.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been hypothesized to mimic the carcinogenic
effects of estrogenic exposures. For example, phthalates, an ingredient commonly
used in personal care products, have been associated with risk of breast cancer.
Women are the primary consumers of many personal care products and are
disproportionately exposed to the chemicals within these products. A national
survey of >2,300 U.S. women reported that the average adult woman uses
approximately 12 individual personal care products each day and that more than a
quarter of all women use ≥15 products per day [12] .
Breast cancer is formed in breast tissues including milk ducts or lobules. This type
of cancer tends to occur in women and accounts for 22.9% of all cancer cases in
females resulting in death worldwide. The development of breast cancer is initiated
by sex hormone imbalances. These hormones are a major factor formed in sex-
related organs such as the breast, ovary, and prostate.

5
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

Estrogen, a primary sex hormone, exerts its effects through two nuclear receptors:
the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ). After ligand binding, these
receptors act as transcription factors and move toward specific estrogen response
elements on the DNA strand, thereby regulating the expression of target genes.
Activation of the estrogen receptor is a distinct hallmark for diagnosing breast
cancer. This fact suggests that overactivation of estrogen-dependent signaling
following exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may increase the risk of
breast cancer formation and metastasis. The relationship between breast cancer and
endocrine-disrupting chemicals such bisphenol A has been widely studied.
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic hormones may lead to
increased rates of breast cancer in industrialized societies. Various endocrine-
disrupting chemicals directly affect estrogen receptor-dependent signaling by
binding to the estrogen receptor, implying the estrogenic activity with disruption of
normal endogenous hormone signaling. endocrine-disrupting chemicals include
pharmaceutical agents, pesticides, and industrial and commercial agents such as
alkylphenols and phthalates [13].

1.1.3 Carcinogenic effect of Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in personal care

products
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are well classified and characterized in terms of
toxicological manifestations, such as developmental toxicity, carcinogenicity,
mutagenicity, immunotoxicity, and neurotoxicity.
 Paraben

Caring for personal hygiene is a basic way to prevent the occurrence and spread of
infectious diseases. Daily routines such as showering, brushing teeth, and washing
face and hair require the use of appropriate cosmetics: shampoos, toothpaste, and
mouthwash. In addition to personal care, cosmetics are used to enhance physical
appearance and beauty, for making makeup and esthetic improvements.

Because of consumer demands for products with a long shelf life, the cosmetics
industry uses several methods to prolong the period of use of cosmetics. One of the
most common approaches used is the addition of preservatives, i.e., substances that
inhibit the growth of microorganisms and counteract the generation of reactive
oxygen species and oxidation processes in cosmetics. One of the most popular

6
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
preservatives of cosmetics (and even pharmaceuticals and foodstuff) are parabens,
which are esters of 4-parahydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) [14] .

Human exposure to parabens occurs through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal

absorption. Parabens are usually distributed in human biological samples, such as
urine, serum, breastmilk, placental tissue, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, and
reproductive hormones. The lipophilicity and bioaccumulation of parabens could
imply the importance of their environmental exposure. Owing to this feature,
paraben occurrence can be observed in almost all adipose samples and breast
tissues of women. Parabens are absorbed through the skin and remain intact in
many tissues [15].
dermal absorption of estrogenic chemicals applied in personal care products to the
underarm and breast region might be involved in the development of breast cancers
such group of chemicals are parabens which are used as preservatives, are known to
possess estrogenic activity and have been measured as entering human breast tissue
as intact esters [16] .
the precise mechanisms responsible for estrogen mediated carcinogenesis are not
well understood. The most widely accepted theory holds that estradiol (E2), acting
through estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), stimulates cell proliferation and initiates
mutations arising from replicative errors occurring during pre-mitotic DNA
synthesis [17] .
parabens have been detected as intact esters in breast tumor tissue [18] . Dermal
absorption can imply a direct effect on the adult, but the issues of exposure of the
fetus and subsequent effects in later life are also a primary concern in endocrine
disrupter research [19] .

7
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

Figure 2 - Endocrine-related effects of parabens [20] .

 Phthalates

Phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers. Large production volumes of

phthalates and their widespread use in common consumer, medical, building, and
personal care products lead to ubiquitous human exposure via oral ingestion,
inhalation, and dermal contact [21] . Epidemiological studies have demonstrated
that exposure to diethyl phthalate in the environment may increase the risk of
breast cancer [22] .
The phthalates have found to be mimicking estrogen. a prominent study Kim et al.
further proved that phthalates such as Benzyl butyl phthalate , dibutyl phthalate,
di(2- ethyl hexyl) phthalate increases cell growth in Michigan Cancer Foundation-
7 (MCF-7) cell lines which is an estrogen positive breast cancer cell line [23] . So,
Exposure to phthalates in females could lead to a hormonal dependent induction
of breast cancer since phthalates can mimic estrogen and they could also induce
drug resistance in breast cancer [24].
The concentrations of phthalates and parabens, the amounts of personal care
products used on a daily basis and dermal exposure doses for women were
calculated [25] .
o For phthalates, the calculated median and maximum exposure doses for
women from personal care products were 45.5 and 8,310 lg/d, respectively.
o For parabens, the calculated median and maximum exposure doses from the
dermal application of personal care products were 18,700 and 50,300 lg/d,
respectively.

 Triclosan
Triclosan is a synthetic biocide designed to inhibit bacterial reproduction by
interacting with enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase enzymes. It is added to many
consumer and household products, including soaps, dish sponges, cosmetics,
deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, clothing, and children’s toys. Dermal
contact with these products leads to rapid absorption of triclosan into the body
through the skin [26] [27].
8
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
Triclosan reaches the systemic circulation via absorption through the mucous
membranes of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract after oral exposure, through
the skin after dermal exposure, and through mucosal tissues following intra-
vaginal administration [28] .

Triclosan binds to both conventional estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes, ER and ER.
Thus, exposure to triclosan may induce estrogenic effects by directly activating
ER.
Triclosan also potently inhibits hepatic sulfotransferase activity, thereby reducing
sulfonation of endogenous estrogens such as 17-estradiol (E2) and xenoestrogens
such as bisphenol A (BPA). Thus, exposure to triclosan may potentiate in vivo
estrogenic effects by preventing metabolism of estrogens to their biologically
inactive forms [29] .
According to a Survey of Bisphenols in Personal Care Products from China and
the United States in which a total of 231 PCP samples were purchased from retail
stores in seven cities in China and in Albany were analyzed TCS was found in 55
% of PCPs analyzed at concentrations to 53,900 ng/g [30]

1.1.4 Carcinogenic effect of talcum powder in personal care products

Talcum powder is made of talc, a hydrated magnesium silicate, and is used in baby
powders, feminine hygiene products, antiperspirants, deodorants, creams, hair care
products, lipsticks, shampoos, shaving products, wound ointments, foot powders,
and sun care products is used to absorb moisture on the body [31] . Women have
reported utilizing talc-containing body powder in the genital/rectal area, on the feet
and or thighs, on sanitary napkins, and on underwear, as well as to store
diaphragms [32] . About 40 % of women worldwide are said to regularly use talcum
powder, which can be found in many baby powders, foot powders, medicated
powders, cosmetics and intimate hygiene products [33] .

In recent decades, there has been increasing concern that perineal exposure to talc, a
commonly used personal care product, might be associated with an increased risk of
ovarian cancer [34] .
According to Meta-Analysis, twelve studies provided an odds ratio for long-term
talc use and its association with ovarian cancer [35].

9
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
Ovarian cancer is a common gynecologic cancer among women in developed
countries, occurring at low rates among young women but increasing with age. The
annual incidence rate of ovarian cancer during the period 2005–2009 was
12.7/100,000 women, varying by ethnicity. The majority of ovarian cancers are
diagnosed at an advanced stage, with 61% having distant metastases at diagnosis [36]
.

A study of the effect of talc particles on phagocytes in co-culture with ovarian

cancer cells hypothesized that in a high-estrogen environment the talc particles alter
MФ function and decrease the killing of OC cells.

We postulated this could occur via either a release of damaging factors that promote
formation of aberrant serous ovarian carcinoma cells, and/or via compromised
immunologic surveillance (tumoricidal) ability of the Macrophages (MФ), which
could allow aberrant cells (that regularly appear in low numbers in the organism) to
develop into clinical tumors. The latter premise was supported in part by a report
that exposure of MФs to talc can inhibit their phagocytic activity [34] .

Talc and estradiol co-enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species which
participate in cell growth/proliferation, differentiation, protein synthesis, glucose
metabolism and survival of malignant cells [37]. Reactive oxygen species play
important role in the pathogenesis of serous ovarian carcinoma [38]. This finding is
consistent with in vivo data [39].

1.1.5 Carcinogenic effect of heavy metals in personal care products

Some metals are incorporated as preservatives in cosmetic products because they

possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. Through recent studies it has been
evaluated those metals used as preservatives are also endocrine disruptors and can
get easily absorbed through skin thus causing adverse effects on human health.
Some metallic compounds are routinely used in the cosmetics as they possess
properties to peel and whiten the skin. Heavy metals are also added accidently as
impurities at various stages of cosmetic production. As the sort of raw material used
in the manufacturing process, particularly the addition of additives and color
minerals cause contamination. In addition, water used for their preparation may also
contain metallic impurities. Moreover, use of different instrumentation in cosmetic
10
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
industries during sorting, manufacturing and packaging processes may also cause
heavy metals contamination [40] .

Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and nickel, as well as
aluminum, classified as a light metal, are detected in various types of cosmetics
(color cosmetics, face and body care products, hair cosmetics, herbal cosmetics,
etc.) [41] .
Almost all heavy metals induce various cancers and diseases. Oxidative stress
caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a well-known mechanism of heavy
metal-induced damages [42].

Heavy metals’ contamination in cosmetic products are a serious threat. Present

study was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) in
various brands of cosmetic products with special emphasis on their health risk
assessment. Five heavy metals including Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni and Pb were quantified in
different brands of lotions, foundations, whitening creams, lipsticks, hair dyes and
sunblock creams using atomic absorption spectrometry.

In general, Cr, Ni and Pb were higher in the sunblock samples, while Cd and Fe
were maximum in different brands of lotions and lipsticks respectively. Increase in
the concentrations of HMs in the cosmetic products was mainly due to the type and
source of raw materials used, processing techniques, storage and mode of
transportation. Close association of Cr, Ni and Pd and disparity in Cd and Fe
assessed by multivariate analysis revealed similarity and variation in their sources
of contamination in cosmetic products [40].

1. 2 AIM OF RESEARCH

‫تعديل‬

11
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

Chapter Two
Methodology

12
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

Methodology
1- Electronic databases from different library were screened the carcinogenic effect of
personal care product on human health .
2- Only published articles were included in this review, and unpublished works were
not considered.
3- The search terms were ‘‘cancer’’ ‘‘paraben,’’ ‘‘phthalates’’ or ‘‘talc’’ ‘‘heavy
metals’’ in the whole text.
4- Results from studies were reviewed for the following points:
A. The effect of chemical on endocrine system
B. The role of heavy metal in carcinogenesis
C. The effect of carcinogenic substance found in routinely used personal care
product such as tooth pastes, shampoos, soaps.
D. Mechanism of carcinogenesis

13
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

Table 1: Type of cancers studied caused by personal care products

Title of the study Publication Type of cancer

1-Phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and Received 13 September Breast cancer
triclocarban in feminine hygiene T products 2019; Received in revised
from the United States and their implications form 23 December 2019;
for human exposure Accepted 3 January 2020

2-Controversy around parabens: alternative Received Date: 26 May Breast cancer

strategies for preservative use in cosmetics 2020
and personal care products
Revised Date: 9 November
2020
Accepted Date: 12
November 2020
3-Endocrine Disrupters and Human Health: Received 6 February 2004 Beast cancer
Could Oestrogenic Chemicals in Body Care
Revised 23 February 2004
Cosmetics Adversely Affect Breast Cancer
Incidence in Women? Accepted I March 2004

4-Reactive oxygen species in cancer Received date: 26 August ovarian cancer, breast
2009; in revised form date: cancer, melanoma and
28 January 2010) leukaemia

5-Updates of the role of oxidative stress in Received 31 December Ovarian cancer

the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer
6-Estrogen receptor-dependent and
independent mechanisms of breast cancer
carcinogenesis
2016, Revised 16 February
2017, Accepted 20
February 2017, Available
online 23 February 2017,
Version of Record 26 May
2017.
Received 13 August 2012, Breast cancer
Revised 2 November 2012,
Accepted 5 November
2012, Available online 20

14
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
November 2012.

7-Parabens enable suspension growth of Received: 15 November Breast cancer

MCF-10A immortalized, non-transformed 2011, Revised: 24
human breast epithelial cells February 2012, Accepted:
24 February 2012
8-Paraben Content in Adjacent Normal- Received: April 25, 2019; Breast cancer
malignant Breast Tissues from Women with Accepted: September 17,
Breast Cancer* 2019
9-Mechanism of phthalate esters in the Published online: 04 Aug Breast cancer
progression and development of breast 2020
cancer

10-Exposure to Phthalates and Breast Cancer April 2010 Breast cancer

Risk in Northern Mexico

11-Triclosan elevates estradiol levels in Received 10 May 2016, Breast and ovarian cancer
serum and tissues of cycling and peri- Revised 17 August 2016,
implantation female mice Accepted 9 September
2016, Available online 13
September 2016, Version
of Record 17 September
2016.

12-Long-term exposure to triclosan increases Received: 16 June 2020 Breast cancer

migration and invasion of human breast Revised: 15 October 2020
epithelial cells in vitro Accepted: 15 October 2020
13-Occurrence, Efficacy, Metabolism, and 20 September 2010 Breast cancer
Toxicity of Triclosan
14-Inhalation of Talc Induces Infiltration of October 24, 2015 Ovarian cancer
Macrophages and Upregulation of
Manganese Superoxide Dismutase in Rats

15-Critical review of the association between Received 20 November Ovarian cancer

15
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
perineal use of talc powder and risk of 2018: Received in revised
ovarian cancer form 21 August 2019,
Accepled 23 August 2049
Available online 28 Aueust
2019
16-The effect of talc particles on phagocytes Received 6 July 2019, Ovarian cancer
in co-culture with ovarian cancer cells Revised 15 July 2019,
Accepted 15 August 2019,
Available online 22 August
2019, Version of Record
27 November 2019.

17-Safety Assessment of Talc as Used in October 20, 2015 Ovarian cancer

Cosmetics

18-Awareness of Toxicological Impact and Received: 10 May 2021; Ovarian cancer

Risk of using Talcum Powder as a Factor for Revised: 28 June 2021;
Ovarian Cancer among Women in three Accepted: 01 July 2021
Metropolitan Cities of Southwestern States,
Nigeria

19-A critical review of talc and ovarian Published online: 13 May Ovarian cancer
cancer 2020

20-Perineal Talc Use and Ovarian CancerA January 2018 Ovarian cancer
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
21-GENITAL TALC EXPOSURE AND Received 28 August 1998; Ovarian cancer
RISK OF OVARIAN CANCER Revised 19 November
1998
22-Heavy Metal Exposure from Personal Published online: 30 Exposure to chromium can,
Care Products September 2009 Ó lung cancer, respiratory
Springer Science+Business problems and even
Media, LLC 2009 death,skin cancer

16
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

Chapter Three
Results and discussion

17
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
 Results and discussion

3.1 Heavy metals

Heavy metals contamination in cosmetic products is a serious threat. Five heavy

metals including Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni and Pb were quantified in different brands of lotions,
foundations, whitening creams, lipsticks, hair dyes and unblock creams using atomic
absorption spectrometry. Risk to the consumer’s health was determined using systemic
exposure dosage (SED), margin of safety (MoS), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI)
and lifetime cancer risk (LCR).

Numerous studies have described human exposure to heavy metals from diverse
sources in united kingdom , but little is known about the exposure from personal care
products, and few or no report is available on the personal care product concentrations of
cadmium, chromium, cop-per and zinc, which have biotic effects. The 5 different classes
of personal care products commonly used in united kingdom. Significant levels of Cd, Cr,
Cu and Zn were found in all the products. The highest values of Cd and Cu were
observed in hair cream, while medicated cream was mostly implicated for Cr and Zn.
Since no limit relating to cosmetic products is available, it is difficult to ascertain if the
values of metals obtained in this study are too high or low; but Cd and Cr are prohibited in
any amount in cosmetics. Prolonged use of soaps and creams containing these elements
may pose threat to human health and the environment (Friberg et al. 1986; Storr-Hansen
and Rastogi 1988; Alloway 1995; Brooks et al. 2003; Fiala 2006; Lin et al. 2009)

3.2 Products and facial cosmetics

Personal care products and facial cosmetics are commonly used by millions of
consumers on a daily basis. Direct application of cosmetics on human skin makes it
vulnerable to a wide variety of ingredients. Despite the protecting role of skin against
exogenous contaminants, some of the ingredients in cosmetic products are able to
penetrate the skin and to produce systemic exposure. Consumers’ knowledge of the
potential risks of the frequent application of cosmetic products should be improved. There
is a need for enforcement of existing rules, and rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of
these regulations (Horii and Kannan 2008)

The occurrence of metals in cosmetic products is of concern for three principal reasons:
a) The use of cosmetic products could represent a possible source of population-wide
exposure daily, and often long-term exposure to metals in cosmetic products

b) Metals can accumulate in the body over time, and

18
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
c) A number of them are known to exhibit different chronic health effects, such as cancer,
contact dermatitis, developmental, neurological and reproductive disorders, brittle hair
and hair loss. Some metals are potent endocrine disruptors and respiratory toxins.
Moreover, some metals, such as Cd, As, Pb, Hg and Sb, are exceptionally toxic with a
wide variety of chronic health effects, whereas Cr, Ni and Co are well known skin
sensitizers. Since the issue of heavy metals as deliberate cosmetic ingredients has been
addressed, attention is turned to the presence of these substances as impurities(Storr-
Hansen and Rastogi 1988; Malawska and Wilko- mirski 2000).

3.3 Talcum powder:

The toxicological nature of talcum powder and the perceived risk of ovarian cancer
among women in order to design effective interventions that will ultimately improve
public health among all women in Nigeria. A risk perception survey was developed to
capture the public awareness level about talcum powder as an emerging contaminant and
risk of ovarian cancer, inquiring whether risk is viewed positively or negatively and the
extent of worry or concern. A total of 300 questionnaires were administered and returned,
analyzed and interpreted for policy decision making. Each questionnaire contains mostly
Likert type questions featuring a set of risks with fixed response alternatives. Basic
descriptive statistics was considered for explanatory variables: age, educational attainment
and generalized risk sensitivity. Majority of respondents use talcum powder for different
purposes. 28% of respondents use talcum powder for genital hygiene, out of which
42.86% use this cosmetic product on a daily basis. Poor level of awareness was generally
observed as most respondents do not know whether talcum powder could be considered a
potential risk factor for ovarian cancer. Majority (66.43%) were very concerned about the
risk of ovarian cancer but perceived less risk for ovarian cancer when asked to compare
risk with their respective age groups. Notably, poor level of awareness about the
toxicological nature of talc and the relatively high level of perceived risk of developing
ovarian cancer due to previous talc exposure was evident among respondents in our study
(Kim et al., 2015; Bocca et al., 2014; Senesse et al., 2004; Agoramoorthy et al., 2008;
Amry et al., 2011; Smith et al., 2015).

Cosmetics can contain harmful compounds such as heavy metals . Several metals
have a cumulative effect on the body, especially fatty tissues, and may have different
health effects on the human body over the long term. Therefore, the main objective of this
study was to assess the health risks of heavy metals in cosmetics in Iran. Also, in this
study, Monte Carlo simulation was used to investigate uncertainties. In this study, the
index of the Margin of Safety was calculated to determine the risk of human contact with
metallic impurities in cosmetic products used by humans. In the selected period, 11
studies were conducted on the measurement of heavy metals in cosmetics in Iran. In these
studies, cosmetics such as eye shadow, eye pencil, powder, cream, and lipstick were
studied (Roberts et al. 2007)

19
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION

3.4 Phthalate
In the decade that has elapsed since the suggestion that exposure of the fetal
developing male to environmental estrogens could be the cause of subsequent
reproductive and developmental effects in men, there has been little definitive research to
provide conclusions to the hypothesis. Issues of exposure and low potency of
environmental estrogens may have reduced concerns. However, the hypothesis that
chemicals applied in body care cosmetics (including moisturizers, creams, sprays or
lotions applied to axilla or chest or breast areas) may be affecting breast cancer incidence
in women presents a different case scenario, not least in the consideration of the exposure
issues. The specific cosmetic type is not relevant but the chemical ingredients in the
formulations and the application to the skin is important. The most common group of
body care cosmetic formulation excipients, namely p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters or
parabens, have been shown recently to be estrogenic in vitro and in vivo and now have
been detected in human breast tumor tissue, indicating absorption (route and causal
associations have yet to be confirmed). The hypothesis for a link between estrogenic
ingredients in underarm and body care cosmetics and breast cancer is forwarded and
reviewed here in terms of: data on exposure to body care cosmetics and parabens,
including dermal absorption; paraben estrogenicity; the role of estrogen in breast cancer;
detection of parabens in breast tumors; recent epidemiology studies of underarm
cosmetics use and breast cancer; the toxicology database; the current regulatory status of
parabens and regulatory toxicology data uncertainties. Notwithstanding the major public
health issue of the causes of the rising incidence of breast cancer in women, this call for
further research may provide the first evidence that environmental factors may be
adversely affecting human health by endocrine disruption, because exposure to estrogenic
chemicals through application of body care products (unlike diffuse environmental
chemical exposures) should be amenable to evaluation, quantification and control (Soni et
al., 2001, 2002).

3.5 Parabens:

Parabens usage as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products have been
debated among scientists and consumers. Parabens are easy to production, effective and
cheap, but its safety status remains controversial. Other popular cosmetics preservatives
are formaldehyde, triclosan, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone,
phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate. Although their high antimicrobial
effectiveness, they also exhibit some adverse health effects. Lately, scientists have shown
that natural substances such as essential oils and plant extracts present antimicrobial
potential. However, their use in cosmetic is a challenge. The present review article is a
comprehensive summary of the available methods to prevent microbial contamination of

20
CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
cosmetics and personal care products, which can allow reducing the use of parabens in
these products(USEPA, 2009)

Feminine hygiene products, a category of daily necessities, can be a source of

exposure to plasticizers and antimicrobial agents in women. Nevertheless, studies on the
occurrence of chemicals in feminine hygiene products have received little attention. In this
study, 24 endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), comprising nine phthalates, six
parabens, eight bisphenols, and triclocarban (TCC) were measured in seven categories of
feminine

 Conclusions:

1-This study concluded that for the first time that exposure to diethyl phthalate, may be
associated with increased risk of Breast Cancer.

2. Cosmetics can contain harmful compounds such as heavy metals. Several metals have a
cumulative effect on the body, especially fatty tissues, and may have different health
effects on the human body over the long term. Therefore, the main objective of this study
was to assess the health risks of heavy metals in cosmetics in human health .

3. Talc should not be applied to the skin when the epidermal barrier is missing or
significantly disrupted.

4. The Panel concluded that talc is safe for use in cosmetics in the present practices of use
and concentration (some cosmetic products are entirely composed of talc). Talc should not
be applied to the skin when the epidermal barrier is missing or significantly disrupted.

5. In male and female rats exposed to 100 mg/m3 talc, expression of superoxide dismutase
2, a typical biological indicator of oxidative damage, was significantly increased. Thus,
inhalation of talc induces macrophage aggregations and oxidative damage in the lung and
cause lung cancer.

 Recommendations:
1. We recommend further investigation and measuring samples from people
exposure to the carcinogenic chemicals.

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CHAPTER one INTRODUCTION
2. We recommend another research to do specific cancer detection test in patient
exposed to this chemicals .

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