Safety assessment of personal care products/cosmetics and their ingredients

Exposure profiles, determinants, and health risks of chemicals in personal care products among healthy older adults from the China BAPE study

Personal care products (PCPs) are ubiquitously present in the environment, and the associated health risks have been increasingly concerned worldwide. However, knowledge regarding exposure assessments of older adults to these chemicals and their health risks remains largely limited. In the present study, five repeated surveys involving 76 healthy older adults in Jinan, Shandong Province, were performed to quantify urinary exposure levels of 14 chemicals in PCPs. Moreover, influencing factors and health risks associated with exposure to these chemicals were thoroughly analyzed. Our findings revealed that methyl paraben (MeP) was the predominant chemical in PCP in the urine of the elderly, with a median concentration of 16.17 μg/L. Dietary intake, particularly fish and milk products, along with exposure to ambient PM2.5, were identified as the primary sources of certain chemicals in PCPs. Additionally, an increased physical activity was associated with decreased concentrations of benzophenone-2 (BP-2) within the body. Risk assessment demonstrated that chemicals in PCPs currently posed minimal health risks to the elderly. Our findings provide substantial references for mitigating the health risks of these chemical exposures in healthy older adults, ultimately safeguarding their overall and physical well-being.

Are ingredients of personal care products likely to undergo long-range transport to remote regions?

Personal care products (PCPs) contain contaminants of emerging concern. Despite increasing reports of their presence in polar regions, the behavior of PCP ingredients under cold environmental conditions remains poorly understood. Snow collected around Villum Research Station at Station Nord, Greenland, between December 2018 and June 2019 was extracted in a stainless steel clean-room and analyzed for seven fragrance materials, four organic UV-filters and an antioxidant using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. All twelve target PCPs were detected, with elevated concentrations during two sampling events potentially tied to air mass transport from northern Europe and the northern coasts of Russia. To contextualize the presence of these PCP chemicals in high Arctic snow, we estimated their (i) partitioning properties as a function of temperature, (ii) equilibrium phase distribution and dominant deposition processes in the atmosphere at temperatures above and below freezing, and (iii) potential for long-range environmental transport (LRET). Even though most PCPs are deemed to be gas phase chemicals predominantly deposited as vapors, rapid atmospheric degradation is expected to limit their LRET. On the other hand, the less volatile octocrylene is expected to be sorbed to atmospheric particles, removed via wet and dry particle deposition, and possibly exhibit a higher potential for LRET by being protected from attack by photooxidants. The contrast between consistent detection of PCP chemicals in high Arctic snow and relatively low estimated LRET potential emphasizes the need for further research on their real-world atmospheric behavior under cold conditions.

Functional coatings for textiles: advancements in flame resistance, antimicrobial defense, and self-cleaning performance

The continuous evolution of textile technologies has led to innovative functional coatings that enhance protective textiles by integrating flame retardancy, antimicrobial efficacy, and self-cleaning properties. These multifunctional coatings address the growing demand for high-performance materials in healthcare, military, and industrial applications. This study reviews advancements in coating techniques, including dip-coating, spray-coating, sol-gel processes, and layer-by-layer assembly, highlighting their effectiveness in imparting durability, thermal stability, and biological activity to textile substrates. The incorporation of bioactive materials such as chitosan, silver nanoparticles, and plant-derived antimicrobials has demonstrated enhanced pathogen resistance and prolonged fabric functionality. Furthermore, recent developments in phosphorus-based flame retardants and photocatalytic self-cleaning agents, including titanium dioxide and silica nanoparticles, have contributed to the sustainability of functional textiles by reducing environmental impact. Challenges remain in achieving compatibility among diverse functional components while maintaining mechanical integrity and user comfort. Scalability and cost-efficiency also present barriers to commercialization, necessitating cross-disciplinary collaboration among material scientists, engineers, and regulatory experts. Future research should focus on biodegradable alternatives, smart-responsive coatings, and advanced nanomaterial integration to enhance the longevity and eco-friendliness of protective textiles. As industry standards shift towards sustainability, functional coatings are poised to redefine textile applications, offering tailored solutions that balance safety, performance, and environmental responsibility. This review underscores the transformative potential of multifunctional textile coatings and their role in advancing next-generation protective fabrics.

Microalgae-based sunscreens as green and sustainable cosmetic products

Recently, microalgal biotechnology has attained great acceptance among various researchers and industries for the green and sustainable production of different bioactive compounds. They provide multiple metabolites and molecules, making them an ideal candidate for cosmetic formulators and cosmeceutical companies. Nevertheless, numerous microalgae strains have never been studied for their pharmaceutical, nutritional and cosmeceutical purposes. Even less, only some have been cultivated on a large scale for bioactive compound production. Here, we have studied the cosmetic and cosmeceutical potentials of different microalgal strains for sunscreen as adjuvants and boosters in a green, carbon-neutral and sustainable platform. Other bioactive compounds were exploited, and the available products in the market and the published patents were also reviewed. From our review, it will be possible to combine the fundamental and practical aspects of microalgal biotechnology toward a greener and more sustainable future for the cosmetic/cosmeceutical areas of the photoprotection scenario.

Preliminary safety and in vivo efficacy of Acmella oleracea extract-loaded glycolipid emulsion serum-Effects on ocular irritation, dermal absorption, and facial skin biophysical and microrelief properties

OBJECTIVE

Substantial efforts have been progressively devoted to developing innovative, safe, and effective topical anti-aging products that not only improve the appearance of aged skin but also prioritize environmental sustainability and the responsible use of natural resources. Thus, the current study targeted to evaluate novel, natural emulsion/serum comprising new glycolipid emulsifier (lauryl glucoside/myristyl glucoside/polyglyceryl-6 laurate) and Acmella oleracea plant extract as a model active.

METHODS

The developed serum was assessed concerning its stability (freeze-thaw test, accelerated study), safety (in vitro screening of eye irritation potential, dermal absorption study) and efficacy (randomized, active/reference-controlled, half-face, in vivo study). Changes in skin biophysical properties, microrelief, roughness, texture, surface, and volume parameters were assessed in the periocular and perioral areas of human volunteers after 2 weeks of product application, utilizing several bioengineering and topography techniques.

RESULTS

The stability study demonstrated favourable stability profile of the developed serum, with practically unaffected stability-indicating parameters (apparent viscosity, yield, flow point, storage and loss moduli, loss factor, pH, electrical conductivity) during freeze-thaw cycling and after 3 months of storage at 45°C. The hen's egg test on the chorioallantoic membrane of fertilized chicken eggs confirmed the absence of ocular irritation potential of investigated serum; no effects of haemorrhage, lysis or coagulation were occurred. Skin permeation study using diffusion cells revealed no permeation of spilanthol from the tested A. oleracea extract-loaded serum through the pig ear skin into the receptor medium, thus suggesting no absorption into systemic circulation. In vivo efficacy study corroborated beneficial effects of evaluated serum on the condition/appearance of facial skin, at both periocular and perioral areas-significant (p < 0.05) increase in skin hydration (10%-40%) and smoothness (~15%); significant (p < 0.05) decrease in roughness (20%-30%), scaliness (~30%), and wrinkles (~15%)-implying more hydrated, smoother, visibly milder skin.

CONCLUSION

The present findings confirmed the stability, preliminary safety (no ocular irritation, no dermal absorption, and good skin tolerability), and efficacy (improved skin hydration and microrelief) of the A. oleracea extract-loaded, glycolipid-based serum, supporting its potential as a safe and effective topical anti-aging product.

Exploring the dermal safety of green-synthesized Ag-TiO2 nanocomposites for topical applications

We investigated Ag-TiO2 nanocomposites (NCs) synthesized using leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica and Mangifera indica for topical applications. The Ag-TiO2 NCs were first characterized by their spherical shapes, with sizes ranging from 20-26 nm to 5-6 nm, and a zeta potential value between -27 and -23 mV. DLS analysis revealed average particle sizes of 671 nm and 573 nm for Ag-TiO2 NCs synthesized from A. indica and M. indica, respectively. The MICs of the nanocomposites were determined via dilution in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to determine the optimal concentration for dermal applications. The cytotoxicity assay (MTT) of ATN and ATM compounds at MICs of 312.5 μg mL-1, 625 μg mL-1, and 1250 μg mL-1 showed that they were nontoxic to fibroblast cells. Further assessments of acute and subacute dermal safety were conducted on Charles Foster rats with NCs applied at 625 μg mL-1, 3125 μg mL-1, and 6250 μg mL-1 concentrations. Observations were made for any signs of dermal toxicity using behavioural and physical indices. In acute dermal toxicity, the NCs were applied once, and in subacute dermal toxicity, NCs were applied once daily for 28 days and observed for any sign of dermal toxicity using observation indices like behavioural changes, edema scores, and erythema scores. Post-experiment analyses of body weight, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress, and hematological profiles revealed that the nanocomposites exhibited significant antimicrobial activity. Notably, the safety evaluations indicated no adverse changes, suggesting these NCs are well-tolerated for dermal applications and show great promise for future topical applications.

A Proof-of-Concept for Safety Evaluation of Inhalation Exposure to Known Respiratory Irritants Using In Vitro and In Silico Methods

There is increased interest in developing non-animal test systems for inhalation exposure safety assessments. However, defined methodologies are absent for predicting local respiratory effects from inhalation exposure to irritants. The current study introduces a concept for applying in vitro and in silico methods for inhalation exposure safety assessment. Three in vitro systems, representing the upper (MucilAir™-nasal epithelial tissue) and lower (A549 cells and human precision-cut lung slices) human respiratory regions, were exposed to six respiratory irritants. These irritant exposures were conducted as liquid droplets, aerosol, or vapors, and samples were collected over 24 h. Cytotoxicity, cytokine release, epithelial resistance, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. To determine the human relevance of in vitro exposures, airway surface depositions were predicted by simulating airborne concentrations equivalent to the Cramer class III inhalation threshold of toxicological concern limit of 0.47 mg/person/day using an in silico model. A > 100-fold margin of exposure was calculated comparing lowest concentrations showing in vitro effects to in silico simulated values. While further studies are needed, this manuscript presents a basic requirement for employing non-animal methods to inform inhalation exposure safety assessments by combining in vitro and in silico assays.

Comparison and Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Capacity Between EGCG and Phosphatidylcholine-Encapsulated EGCG

AIM

To compare and evaluate the differences between EGCG and phosphatidylcholine-encapsulated EGCG in terms of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities.

METHODS

In this study, transdermal absorption experiments were conducted to compare the absorption capacity of EGCG and phosphatidylcholine-encapsulated EGCG. Subsequently, the disparity in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy between EGCG and phosphatidylcholine-encapsulated EGCG were evaluated through cytotoxicity experiments, as well as the determination of cellular inflammatory factors and the measurement of ROS content under different treatment conditions.

RESULTS

The concentration of EGCG, encapsulated in phosphatidylcholine, in porcine skin is 40.76 ± 1.29 μg/cm2, which is significantly higher than the concentration of EGCG alone (31.62 ± 2.01 μg/cm2). Also, the ability of phosphatidylcholine-encapsulated EGCG to suppress inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was notably superior to that of EGCG alone. Both phosphatidylcholine-encapsulated EGCG and EGCG showed excellent ROS scavenging ability in terms of antioxidant capacity.

CONCLUSION

The percutaneous absorption and anti-inflammatory impact of EGCG encapsulated within phosphatidylcholine were substantially enhanced when compared to EGCG by itself. Additionally, both formulations exhibited enhanced ROS scavenging capacities, albeit the variance between them was not pronounced. These insights furnish a vital theoretical underpinning for the utilization of phosphatidylcholine-encapsulated EGCG in cosmetic applications, specifically for fostering products with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model for Evaluating the Toxicology of Inorganic Nanoparticles

Inorganic nanoparticles are nanomaterials with a central core composed of inorganic specimens, especially metals, which give them interesting applications but can impact the environment and human health. Their short- and long-term effects are not completely known and to investigate that, alternative models have been successfully used. Among these, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been increasingly applied in nanotoxicology in recent years because of its many features and advantages for toxicological screening. This non-parasitic nematode may inhabit any environment where organic matter is available; therefore, it is interesting for ecotoxicological assessments. Moreover, this worm has a high genetic homology to humans, making the findings translatable. A notable number of published studies unraveled the level of toxicity of different nanoparticles, including the mechanisms by which their toxicity occurs. This narrative review collects and describes the most relevant toxicological data for inorganic nanoparticles obtained using C. elegans and also supports its application in safety assessments for regulatory purposes.

Constructing HairDB to facilitate exposome research using human hair

This study introduces HairDB, an online database serving as a comprehensive repository of hair-related chemicals for exposome research. HairDB was created via an integrative approach. It first extracted 4,184 unique hair-related chemicals through text mining of over 34 million PubMed abstracts and 5.2 million PubMed Central articles, followed by manual data checking. HairDB also applied an artificial intelligence-enabled search to discover organic aerosol biomarkers in literature. A set of 768 chemicals used in hair-related products was then curated through a combination of manual searches and data extraction from the Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng) of the European Union. From manually reading review papers, 29 organic aerosol biomarkers were extracted. Furthermore, 3,679 known exposure chemicals extracted from the Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB) were incorporated in HairDB to represent the possible environmental exposures detected on hair surfaces. The comprehensive set of chemicals captured in HairDB represents the current knowledge of what can be found in and on hair. HairDB was constructed as a user-friendly web interface, allowing easy exploration of hair-related chemicals and tailored for annotating mass spectrometry-based hair exposomics data. The development of HairDB marks an important step forward in using hair as a biological matrix for chemical exposure measurement, facilitating the adoption of hair for exposome research. HairDB is publicly available at https://www.hairdb.ca/.

Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/cellulose nanofiber/Aloe Vera composites as a biocompatible hydrating facial mask

This study aimed to enhance the properties of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for use as biocompatible facial masks. To achieve this, nanofibers were developed by blending PVP with cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and Aloe vera (AV) powder using electrospinning. The results showed that incorporating CNFs and AV into the PVP matrix led to the formation of smooth and uniform nanofibers. In particular, adding 3-6 wt% AV powder in PVP/CNF composites improved fiber diameter distribution and uniformity compared to pure PVP. The PVP/CNF/AV nanofibers exhibited desirable properties for facial mask applications. They displayed 86-93 % porosity, which allowed for efficient moisture absorption capacity of up to 1829 %, and excellent water vapor permeability rate of 3.92 g/m2h. The mechanical properties of the electrospun nanofiber composites were evaluated through tensile testing. The results showed that Young's modulus values decreased progressively with the addition of CNFs and AV powder to the PVP polymer matrix, indicating a plasticizing effect that enhances flexibility. The fracture strain remained similar across all composites, suggesting that CNFs and AV did not significantly weaken the PVP matrix. The tensile strength initially increased with CNF addition but decreased with incremental AV loading. Biocompatibility studies revealed that all nanofibers exhibited excellent fibroblast viability, surpassing 98 %. This indicates that incorporating CNFs and AV did not compromise cell viability, further highlighting the suitability of the PVP/CNF/AV composites for facial mask applications.

Evaluation of the anti-aging potential of acetyl tripeptide-30 citrulline in cosmetics

Acetyl tripeptide-30 citrulline, a commercialized bio-active peptide, is widely used in anti-wrinkle formulations. Volunteer-based tests have demonstrated that topical application of products containing acetyl tripeptide-30 citrulline significantly reduces the visibility of stretch marks. However, there is still a lack of research dedicated to systematically and holistically evaluating its cosmetic properties and elucidating its mechanisms of action. In this study, we assessed the cosmetic potential of acetyl tripeptide-30 citrulline using human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (3T3). Our findings reveal that acetyl tripeptide-30 citrulline exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in skin cells, particularly effective against the inflammatory markers cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the extent of inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production ranged from 95 % to 340 %. Moreover, acetyl tripeptide-30 citrulline specifically up-regulates Collagen IV and down-regulates matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), enhances the expression of skin barrier proteins transglutaminase 1 (TGM1) and filaggrin (FLG), thereby demonstrating its reparative capabilities. Additionally, acetyl tripeptide-30 citrulline increases the expression of the water channel protein aquaporin 3 (AQP3), thus improving skin hydration function. These results substantiate the previously proclaimed cosmetic attributes of acetyl tripeptide-30 citrulline and support its efficacy as an anti-aging agent in dermatological applications.

Valorization of Strawberry Tree Berries and Beeswax from Montesinho Natural Park for Cosmetic Industry-A Case Study Formulation

Consumers are increasingly concerned about cosmetic ingredients' origin, looking more than ever to sustainable and greener formulations. The Natural Park of Montesinho, located in Portugal, is characterized by an enormous fauna and flora diversity. Among them, beeswax and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo) have attracted the cosmetic researchers' interest due to their bioactive compounds' richness, particularly fatty acids and phenolic compounds. The main goal of this study was to develop an innovative cosmetic product with antioxidant properties composed by both matrices. Briefly, samples were obtained in the Natural Park of Montesinho in October 2022. Beeswax was analysed for lipid profile and contaminants, while extracts were obtained from fruits by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using water as a solvent. The effect of extraction time (15-90 min) was studied on the total phenolic content (TPC), in vitro antioxidant/antiradical activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity. The beeswax lipid profile presented a high incidence of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. The extract obtained at 60 min presented the highest TPC (30.27 mg GAE/g dw) and antioxidant/antiradical activities (ABTS = 30.36 mg AAE/g dw; DPPH = 43.83 mg TE/g dw; FRAP = 415.61 µmol FSE/g dw). An IC50 of 19.78 µg/mL was achieved for the hypochlorous acid, while for superoxide radical and peroxyl radical the IC50 were, respectively, 90.51 µg/mL and 0.19 µmol TE/mg dw. The phytochemical profile revealed a high content of gallic acid, and catechin and its derivatives. The hydrophilic cream developed revealed ideal technological parameters, particularly its stability.

Construction of a pumpless gravity-driven vascularized Skin-on-a-Chip for the study of hepatocytotoxicity in percutaneous exposure to exogenous chemicals

The utilization of existing Skin-on-a-Chip (SoC) is constrained by the complex structures, the multiplicity of auxiliary devices, and the inability to evaluate exogenous chemicals that are hepatotoxic after percutaneous metabolism. In this study, a gravity-driven SoC without any auxiliary devices was constructed for the hepatocytotoxicity study of exogenous chemicals. The SoC possesses 3 layers of culture chambers, from top to bottom, for human skin equivalent (HSE), Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) and hepatocytes (HepG2), and the maintenance and expression capacity of the corresponding cells on the SoC were verified by specificity parameters. The reactivity of the SoC to exogenous chemicals was verified by 2-aminofluorene (2-AF). The SoC can realistically simulate the in vivo exposure process of exogenous chemicals that are percutaneously exposed and metabolized into the bloodstream and then to the liver to produce toxicity, and it can achieve the same effects on transcriptome as those of animal tests at lower exposure levels while examining multiple toxicological targets of the skin, vascular endothelial cells, and hepatocytes. Both in terms of species similarity, the principles of reduction, replacement and refinement (3R), or the level of exposure suggest that the present SoC has a degree of replacement for animal models in assessing exogenous chemicals, especially those that are hepatotoxic after percutaneous metabolism.

The dark side of beauty: an in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products

Over the past three decades, the popularity of cosmetic and personal care products has skyrocketed, largely driven by social media influence and the propagation of unrealistic beauty standards, especially among younger demographics. These products, promising enhanced appearance and self-esteem, have become integral to contemporary society. However, users of synthetic, chemical-based cosmetics are exposed to significantly higher risks than those opting for natural alternatives. The use of synthetic products has been associated with a variety of chronic diseases, including cancer, respiratory conditions, neurological disorders, and endocrine disruption. This review explores the toxicological impact of beauty and personal care products on human health, highlighting the dangers posed by various chemicals, the rise of natural ingredients, the intricate effects of chemical mixtures, the advent of nanotechnology in cosmetics, and the urgent need for robust regulatory measures to ensure safety. The paper emphasizes the necessity for thorough safety assessments, ethical ingredient sourcing, consumer education, and collaboration between governments, regulatory bodies, manufacturers, and consumers. As we delve into the latest discoveries and emerging trends in beauty product regulation and safety, it is clear that the protection of public health and well-being is a critical concern in this ever-evolving field.

Use of Cosmetics in Pregnancy and Neurotoxicity: Can It Increase the Risk of Congenital Enteric Neuropathies?

Pregnancy is a particularly vulnerable period for the growing fetus, when exposure to toxic agents, especially in the early phases, can decisively harm embryo development and compromise the future health of the newborn. The inclusion of various chemical substances in personal care products (PCPs) and cosmetic formulations can be associated with disruption and damage to the nervous system. Microplastics, benzophenones, parabens, phthalates and metals are among the most common chemical substances found in cosmetics that have been shown to induce neurotoxic mechanisms. Although cosmetic neurotoxin exposure is believed to be minimal, different exposure scenarios of cosmetics suggest that these neurotoxins remain a threat. Special attention should be paid to early exposure in the first weeks of gestation, when critical processes, like the migration and proliferation of the neural crest derived cells, start to form the ENS. Importantly, cosmetic neurotoxins can cross the placental barrier and affect the future embryo, but they are also secreted in breast milk, so babies remain exposed for longer periods, even after birth. In this review, we explore how neurotoxins contained in cosmetics and PCPs may have a role in the pathogenesis of various neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases and, therefore, also in congenital enteric aganglionosis as well as in postnatal motility disorders. Understanding the mechanisms of these chemicals used in cosmetic formulations and their role in neurotoxicity is crucial to determining the safety of use for cosmetic products during pregnancy.

Application of nano-ZnO in the food preservation industry: antibacterial mechanisms, influencing factors, intelligent packaging, preservation film and safety

In recent years, how to improve the functional performance of food packaging materials has received increasing attention. One common inorganic material, nanometer zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), has garnered significant attention due to its excellent antibacterial properties and sensitivity. Consequently, ZnO-NP-based functional packaging materials are rapidly developing in the food industry. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive and systematic reviews on the use of ZnO-NPs as functional fillers in food packaging. In this review, we introduced the characteristics and antibacterial mechanism of ZnO-NPs, and paid attention to the factors affecting the antibacterial activity of ZnO-NPs. Furthermore, we systematically analyzed the application of intelligent packaging and antibacterial packaging containing ZnO-NPs in the food industry. At the same time, this paper also thoroughly investigated the impact of ZnO-NPs on various properties including thickness, moisture resistance, water vapor barrier, mechanical properties, optical properties, thermal properties and microstructure of food packaging materials. Finally, we discussed the migration and safety of ZnO-NPs in packaging materials. ZnO-NPs are safe and have negligible migration rates, simultaneously their sensitivity and antibacterial properties can be used to detect the quality changes of food during storage and extend its shelf life.

Determination of 11 Kinds of Hair Dyes in Hair-Dyeing Products by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Eleven kinds of hair dyes were determined in hair-dyeing products by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS). The samples were extracted with ultrasound in methanol for 20 min. After centrifugation, the supernatant was diluted with 10% methanol/90% water (v/v). Then, the solution was analyzed by Shim-pack Scepter C18-120 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μm) plus electrospray ionization-MS/MS. Matrix-matched standard solutions were used to analyze the samples. The limits of detection were from 0.15 to 10 mg/kg, the limits of quantification were from 0.5 to 40 mg/kg and the recovery was from 79.4 to 109.2%. The protocol was selective and accurate and was satisfyingly applied to analyze hair dyes in different kinds of commercial products. 1-Hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole sulfate, hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulfate, 2-methyl-5-hydroxyethylaminophenol, 5-amino-6-chloro-o-cresol, 3-nitro-p-hydroxyethylaminophenol and 2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol were detected in 10 samples with the concentrations between limits of detection and quantification to 9.27 × 104 mg/kg.

Parabens and triclosan in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) from China: Concentrations, tissue distribution and related human dietary intake risk

Parabens (PBs) and triclosan (TCS) are commonly found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). As a result, they have been extensively found in the environment, particularly in aquaculture operations. Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) consumption has significantly risen in China. Nevertheless, the levels of PBs and TCS in this species and the associated risk to human dietary intake remain undisclosed. This study assessed the amounts of five PBs, i.e., methyl-paraben (MeP), ethyl-paraben (EtP), propyl-paraben (PrP), butyl-paraben (BuP) and benzyl-paraben (BzP), as well as TCS in crayfish taken from five provinces of the middle-lower Yangtze River. MeP, PrP and TCS showed the highest detection rates (hepatopancreas: 46-86 %; muscle: 63-77 %) since they are commonly used in PPCPs. Significantly higher levels of ∑5PBs (median: 3.69 ng/g) and TCS (median: 7.27 ng/g) were significantly found in the hepatopancreas compared to the muscle (median: 0.39 ng/g for ∑5PBs and 0.16 ng/g for TCS) (p < 0.05), indicating bioaccumulation of these chemicals in the hepatopancreas. The estimated daily intake values of ∑5PBs and TCS calculated from the median concentrations of crayfish were 6.44-7.94 ng/kg bw/day and 11.4-14.0 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. Although no health risk was predicted from consuming crayfish (HQ <1), consumption of the hepatopancreas is not recommended.

Risk perception and use of personal care products by race and ethnicity among a diverse population

Personal care products can contain phthalates, parabens and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. However, information on perception of risks from personal care product use and how use varies by race and ethnicity is limited. We evaluated differences in personal care product use and risk perception in a diverse sample of participants recruited from a US college campus and online. A self-administered questionnaire captured information on sociodemographic factors, personal care product use trends and perception of risk associated with them. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine differences in personal care product use and risk perception by race and ethnicity. Ordered logistic regressions were performed to measure associations between personal care product use frequency across racial/ethnic categories. Participant (n = 770) mean age was 22.8 years [standard deviation ± 6.0]. Daily use of make-up (eye = 29.3%; other = 38.0%; all = 33.7%) and skincare products (55%) was most frequently reported among Middle Eastern and North African participants. Non-Hispanic Black participants reported the highest daily use of hairstyling products (52%) and lotion (78%). Daily make-up use was more frequently reported among females (41%) than males (24.6%). Levels of agreement were similar across racial and ethnic groups, that personal care product manufacturers should be required to list all ingredients (≥87%). There were significant associations between the frequency of use of some personal care products and racial/ethnic categories when the use frequencies of participants from other racial/ethnic categories were compared to the use frequency of non-Hispanic White participants. There were significant differences in daily use frequency, levels of trust, perception of safety and health risks associated with personal care products by race and ethnicity, underscoring that there may be different sources of exposure to chemicals in personal care products by race and ethnicity.

Theoretical Health Risk Assessment Based on Potentially Toxic Element Profiling of Cosmetic Products in Istanbul Street Bazaars

Toxic elements that pose a potential threat to human health are found as impurities in various cosmetic products. In this study, the inorganic profile of 19 elements (Li, B, Mg, Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, and Pb) in 90 cosmetic products (lipsticks, lip glosses, lip pencils and eye shadows) were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after microwave acid digestion method and hazard indices (HI) of 9 toxic elements (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, As, Hg, Sb, and Al) were calculated for the assessment of theoretical health risk. Satisfactory method performance parameters were found for each analyte. The results were compared with the maximum permissible limits set by regulatory agencies; 38 of 41 lip products (92.68%) and all eye shadows (n = 49) exceeded the established limits. The HI was found to be ≥ 1 in 82.76% of lip products for oral exposure, whereas HI was ≤ 1 for dermal exposure in all lip products (n = 41) and only one eye shadow sample was ≥ 1 (2.04%). Remarkable results were also detected for 19 elements in this study, which conducted a comprehensive inorganic profiling for the first time. Wide-range concentrations of Mg, Al, Ba, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Sr elements were remarkable. HI values were firstly brought out in this study, although Al, as a well-known toxic element, has not been listed in regulations yet. In conclusion, it is obviously seen that continuous monitoring of cosmetics is crucial not only for toxic elements but also for other essential or non-toxic elements to prevent consumers from long-term exposure.

Suitability of different reconstructed human skin models in the skin and liver Chip2 microphysiological model to investigate the kinetics and first-pass skin metabolism of the hair dye, 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene

The HUMIMIC skin-liver Chip2 microphysiological systems model using the epidermal model, EpiDerm™, was reported previously to mimic application route-dependent metabolism of the hair dye, 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene (AHT). Therefore, we evaluated the use of alternative skin models-SkinEthic™, EpiDermFT™ and PhenionFT™-for the same purpose. In static incubations, AHT permeation was similar using SkinEthic™ and EpiDerm™ models. Older Day 21 (D21) SkinEthic™ models with a thicker stratum corneum did not exhibit a greater barrier to AHT (overall permeation was the same in D17 and D21 models). All epidermal models metabolised AHT, with the EpiDerm™ exhibiting higher N-acetylation than SkinEthic™ models. AHT metabolism by D21 SkinEthic™ models was lower than that by D17 SkinEthic™ and EpiDerm™ models, thus a thicker stratum corneum was associated with fewer viable cells and a lower metabolic activity. AHT permeation was much slower using PhenionFT™ compared to epidermal models and better reflected permeation of AHT through native human skin. This model also extensively metabolised AHT to N-acetyl-AHT. After a single topical or systemic application of AHT to Chip2 model with PhenionFT™, medium was analysed for parent and metabolites over 5 days. The first-pass metabolism of AHT was demonstrated, and the introduction of a wash step after 30 min decreased the exposure to AHT and its metabolites by 33% and 40%-43%, respectively. In conclusion, epidermal and FT skin models used in the Chip2 can mimic the first-pass skin metabolism of AHT. This highlights the flexibility of the Chip2 to incorporate different skin models according to the purpose.

Review on fate, transport, toxicity and health risk of nanoparticles in natural ecosystems: Emerging challenges in the modern age and solutions toward a sustainable environment

In today's era, nanoparticles (NPs) have become an integral part of human life, finding extensive applications in various fields of science, pharmacy, medicine, industry, electronics, and communication. The increasing popularity of NP usage worldwide is a testament to their tremendous potential. However, the widespread deployment of NPs unavoidably leads to their release into the environmental matrices, resulting in persistence in ecosystems and bioaccumulation in organisms. Understanding the environmental behavior of NPs poses a significant challenge due to their nanoscale size. Given the current environmental releases of NPs, known negative consequences, and the limited knowledge available for risk management, comprehending the toxicity of NPs in ecosystems is both awaiting and crucial. The present review aims to unravel the potential environmental influences of nano-scaled materials, and provides in-depth inferences of the current knowledge and understanding in this field. The review comprehensively summarizes the sources, fate, transport, toxicity, health risks, and remediation solutions associated with NP pollution in aquatic and soil ecosystems. Furthermore, it addresses the knowledge gaps and outlines further investigation priorities for the sustainable control of NP pollution in these environments. By gaining a holistic understanding of these aspects, we can work toward ensuring the responsible and sustainable use of NPs in today's fast-growing world.

Combining a microphysiological system of three organ equivalents and transcriptomics to assess toxicological endpoints for cosmetic ingredients

Animal testing for cosmetic ingredients and final products has been banned in Europe and is gaining legal force worldwide. However, the need for reliable testing methodologies remains for safety assessment of cosmetic ingredients. While new approach methodologies exist for many toxicological endpoints, some complex ones lack appropriate testing methods. Microphysiological systems (MPSs) have emerged as a promising tool to address this gap in pre-clinical testing, offering higher predictivity compared to animal models due to the phylogenetic distance between humans and animals. Moreover, they provide a more physiological approach than traditional in vitro testing by mimicking interconnections between different culture compartments as seen in complex organisms. This study presents a three-organ microfluidic MPS comprising skin, liver, and intestine equivalents. Combining this model with gene expression analysis, we evaluated toxicological endpoints of chemicals, demonstrating its potential for diverse applications. Our findings highlight the MPS model as a reliable and ethical method to be applied in an integrated approach for safety assessment in the cosmetic industry. It offers a promising strategy to evaluate toxicological endpoints for cosmetic ingredients and other chemicals, supporting the elimination of animal testing while ensuring consumer safety.

UV filters and high refractive index materials based on carboxymethyl cellulose sodium and CuO@ZnO core/shell nanoparticles

Nanoparticles have substantially contributed to the field of skincare products with ultraviolet (UV) filters to preserve human skin from sun damage. Thus, the current study aims to develop new polymer nanocomposites for the efficient block of UV light that results from the stratospheric ozone layer loss. Co-precipitation method was used to successfully synthesis CuO@ZnO core/shell NPs with a well-crystalline monoclinic CuO core and wurzite ZnO shell. Using the casting method, core/shell NPs were successfully introduced to carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC). The CMC nanocomposites displayed considerably broader optical response extending from near-ultraviolet to visible light, which was likely due to heterojunction between the p-CuO core and n-ZnO shell and defects originating from the synthetic process. The transmittance of pure CMC in the UV, visible, and near IR regions is significantly reduced with the addition of 2 and 4 wt% of CuO@ZnO core/shell NPs to CMC. 99% of UV light is absorbed when 4 wt% of CuO@ZnO core/shell NPs are added. The addition of different concentrations of CMC nanocomposite to one of the sunblock in Egyptian market were studied and showing the highest Sun Protection Factor of 22. Moreover, optical dispersion parameters and refractive index were improved strongly with core/shell NPs addition.

Easy determination of benzophenone and its derivatives in sunscreen samples by direct-immersion solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Benzophenones (BPs) absorb different sun radiation wavelengths, making them effective UVA and UVB filters, widely used in industry. In Europe, sunscreen products contain regulated amounts (6 % w/w) of benzophenone-3 (BP-3), usually combined with other filters like octocrylene. BPs are mutagens in UV radiation, and octocrylene may degrade into BPs, making their monitoring crucial. The present manuscript proposed a novel procedure based on liquid-liquid extraction followed by direct-immersion solid-phase microextraction (LLE-DI-SPME) to isolate and determine 10 BPs in sunscreen lotions with potential results. Parameters like extraction solvent, pH, adsorption, desorption time, stirring, sating effect, and presence of organic solvents were optimized and compared with different SPME fibers, being polyacrylate (PA) fiber the most effective. Detection and quantification were performed by gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry. Analytical parameters as limits of detection were 0.05-0.10 µg kg-1, while the linear range was 0.16 up to 2000 µg kg-1. In terms of recovery, the method ranged from 83 % to 103 %; the precision of the method was good in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD) from 3.2 % to 18.7 % and without a remarkable matrix effect (-15.06-8.45 %). Despite the complexity of the samples and the difficulty posed by the DI-SPME technique, the method proved robust. The proposed method successfully detected 10 BPs in 6 different sunscreen lotions. The total presence of BPs in sunscreens ranged from 165 to 931 mg kg-1, with BP-3 detected in all samples from 4.2 to 740 mg kg-1.

Tamarix articulata extract offers protection against toxicity induced by beauty products in Hs27 human skin fibroblasts

The current study evaluates the cytotoxicity, mode of cell death and chemical analysis of selected beauty products and evaluation of the protective effect of Tamarix articulata (TA) extract against toxicity induced by beauty products in skin fibroblasts (Hs27). MTT and Crystal violet (CV) assays were used to determine the dose-dependent cytotoxic effects of beauty products against Hs27 fibroblasts. DNA fragmentation assay and annexin-V staining were conducted to determine the mode of cell killing induced by evaluated beauty products. Quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme levels were used to evaluate the oxidative stress. Chemical analysis and heavy metals were evaluated to determine beauty products. Pre-treatment with TA extract for different time points followed by time-dependent exposure with beauty products to assess the protective effect of TA extract in Hs27 cells was analyzed by MTT and CV assays. Owing to the presence of various harmful heavy metals such as arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in beauty products, our results revealed that all beauty products induce significant cytotoxicity over time (1, 4 h) in a dose-dependent (125, 250, 500 μg/mL) manner. DNA fragmentation assay, quantification of apoptosis by annexin-V staining, determination of ROS and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GSH-Px and SOD) revealed that the induced cytotoxicity was caused by oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis. However, pre-incubation with a safe dose (50 μg/mL) of TA for different times (24, 48 h) followed by exposure to various doses (62.5, 125, 250, 500 μg/mL) of beauty products for different times (1, 4 h) revealed significant (*p≤0.05, **p≤0.01) protection against beauty product-mediated cytotoxicity. The effect was more pronounced for 1 h exposure to beauty products compared to 4 h. Our study demonstrates that the due to the presence of heavy metals in synthetic beauty products exhibit marked toxicity to skin fibroblasts due to oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis. However, the presence of abundant bioactive polyphenols with promising antiscavenging activity in TA extracts significantly nullifies cytotoxicity promoted by examined beauty products in skin fibroblasts (Hs27).

Assessment of Genotoxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Mosquito as Test Model

The widespread applications of ZnO NPs in the different areas of science, technology, medicine, agriculture, and commercial products have led to increased chances of their release into the environment. This created a growing public concern about the toxicological and environmental effects of the nanoparticles. The impact of these NPs on the genetic materials of living organisms is documented in some cultured cells and plants, but there are only a few studies regarding this aspect in animals. In view of this, the present work regarding the assessment of the genotoxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles using the mosquito Culex quinquefaciatus has been taken up. Statistically significant chromosomal aberrations over the control are recorded after the exposure of the fourth instar larvae to a dose of less than LD20 for 24 h. In order to select this dose, LD20 of ZnO NPs for the mosquito is determined by Probit analysis. Lacto-aceto-orcein stained chromosomal preparations are made from gonads of adult treated and control mosquitoes. Both structural aberrations, such as chromosomal breaks, fragments, translocations, and terminal fusions, resulting in the formation of rings and clumped chromosomes, and numerical ones, including hypo- and hyper-aneuploidy at metaphases, bridges, and laggards at the anaphase stage are observed. The percentage frequency of abnormalities in the shape of sperm heads is also found to be statistically significant over the controls. Besides this, zinc oxide nanoparticles are also found to affect the reproductive potential and embryo development as egg rafts obtained from the genetic crosses of ZnO nanoparticle-treated virgin females and normal males are small in size with a far smaller number of eggs per raft. The percentage frequencies of dominant lethal mutations indicated by the frequency of unhatched eggs are also statistically significant (p < 0.05) over the control. The induction of abnormalities in all of the three short-term assays studied during the present piece of work indicates the genotoxic potential of ZnO NPs, which cannot be labeled absolutely safe, and this study pinpoints the need to develop strategies for the protection of the environment and living organisms thriving in it.

Race, pigmentation, and the human skin barrier-considerations for dermal absorption studies

A functional human skin barrier is critical in limiting harmful exposure to environmental agents and regulating the absorption of intentionally applied topical drug and cosmetic products. Inherent differences in the skin barrier between consumers due to extrinsic and intrinsic factors are an important consideration in the safety assessment of dermatological products. Race is a concept often used to describe a group of people who share distinct physical characteristics. The observed predisposition of specific racial groups to certain skin pathologies highlights the potential differences in skin physiology between these groups. In the context of the human skin barrier, however, the current data correlating function to race often conflict, likely as a consequence of the range of experimental approaches and controls used in the existing works. To date, a variety of methods have been developed for evaluating compound permeation through the human skin, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, great strides have been made in the development of reconstructed human pigmented skin models, with the flexibility to incorporate melanocytes from donors of different race and pigmentation levels. Together, the advances in the production of reconstructed human skin models and the increased adoption of in vitro methodologies show potential to aid in the standardization of dermal absorption studies for discerning racial- and skin pigmentation-dependent differences in the human skin barrier. This review analyzes the existing data on skin permeation, focusing on its interaction with race and skin pigmentation, and highlights the tools and research opportunities to better represent the diversity of the human populations in dermal absorption assessments.

Lipid-Based Nanosystems for the Topical Application of Ferulic Acid: A Comparative Study

In this study, we examined and compared two different lipid-based nanosystems (LBNs), namely Transferosomes (TFs) and Monoolein Aqueous Dispersions (MADs), as delivery systems for the topical application of Ferulic Acid (FA), an antioxidant molecule derived from natural sources. Our results, as demonstrated through Franz-cell experiments, indicate that the LBNs produced with poloxamer 188 in their composition create a multilamellar system. This system effectively controls the release of the drug. Nonetheless, we found that the type of non-ionic surfactant can impact the drug release rate. Regarding FA diffusion from the MAD, this showed a lower diffusion rate compared with the TF. In terms of an in vivo application, patch tests revealed that all LBN formulations tested were safe when applied under occlusive conditions for 48 h. Additionally, human skin biopsies were used to determine whether FA-containing formulations could influence skin tissue morphology or provide protection against O₃ exposure. Analyses suggest that treatment with TFs composed of poloxamer 188 and MAD formulations might protect against structural skin damage (as observed in hematoxylin/eosin staining) and the development of an oxidative environment (as indicated by 4-hyroxinonenal (4HNE) expression levels) induced by O₃ exposure. In contrast, formulations without the active ingredient did not offer protection against the detrimental effects of O₃ exposure.Inizio modulo.

The safety assessment of tampons: illustration of a comprehensive approach for four different products

Introduction

We illustrate a comprehensive tampon safety assessment approach that assures products can be used safely. Material biocompatibility, vaginal mucosa assessment, vaginal microbiome evaluation, and in vitro assessment of potential risk of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome expressed through growth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and production of TSST-1 are the four essential portions of the approach. Post-marketing surveillance informs of possible health effects that warrant follow up. The approach meets or exceeds US and international regulatory guidance and is described through the example of four tampon products.

Methods/Results

Each product is comprised mostly of large molecular weight components (cotton, rayon, polymers) that cannot pass the vaginal mucosa, are widely used across the industry, and replete with a vast body of safety data and a long history of safe use in the category. Quantitative risk assessment of all small molecular weight components assured a sufficient margin of safety supporting their use. Vaginal mucosa assessment confirmed that pressure points, rough edges and/or sharp contact points were absent. A randomized cross-over clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03478371) revealed favorable comfort ratings, and few complaints of irritation, burning, stinging, or discomfort upon insertion, wear, and removal. Adverse events were few, mild in severity, self-limited and resolved without treatment. Vaginal microbiota assessment in vitro presented no adverse effect on microbial growth. Culture-independent microbiome analyses from vaginal swab samples obtained during the clinical trial showed no differences attributable to tampon usage, but instead due to statistically significant subject-to-subject variability. Growth of S. aureus and TSST-1 toxin production in the presence of any of the four products in vitro were statistically significantly reduced when compared to medium control alone.

Discussion

The data from the four elements of the comprehensive safety assessment approach illustrated herein confirm that tampons evaluated using this system can be used safely for menstrual protection. A post-marketing surveillance system that monitors and responds to in-market experiences indicated in-use tolerability of the product among consumers, thus confirming the conclusions of the pre-marketing safety assessment.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Food and Juices Dyes via Photocatalytic Nanomaterials Synthesized through Green Synthetic Route: A Systematic Review

The unavailability of non-poisonous and hygienic food substances is the most challenging issue of the modern era. The uncontrolled usage of toxic colorant moieties in cosmetics and food manufacturing units leads to major threats to human life. The selection of environmentally benign approaches for the removal of these toxic dyes has gained the utmost attention from researchers in recent decades. This review article's main aim is the focus on the application of green-synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) for the photocatalytic degradation of toxic food dyes. The use of synthetic dyes in the food industry is a growing concern due to their harmful effects on human health and the environment. In recent years, photocatalytic degradation has emerged as an effective and eco-friendly method for the removal of these dyes from wastewater. This review discusses the various types of green-synthesized NPs that have been used for photocatalytic degradation (without the production of any secondary pollutant), including metal and metal oxide NPs. It also highlights the synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and photocatalytic efficiency of these NPs. Furthermore, the review explores the mechanisms involved in the photocatalytic degradation of toxic food dyes using green-synthesized NPs. Different factors that responsible for the photodegradation, are also highlighted. Advantages and disadvantages, as well as economic cost, are also discussed briefly. This review will be advantageous for the readers because it covers all aspects of dyes photodegradation. The future feature and limitations are also part of this review article. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the potential of green-synthesized NPs as a promising alternative for the removal of toxic food dyes from wastewater.

Short-term effects of an environmentally relevant concentration of organic UV filters on signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus

Personal care products, including organic UV filters, are considered emerging contaminants, with their toxic effects being a concern in recent decades. UV filters continually enter surface waters via wastewater and human activity. Despite the presence of organic UV filters in the freshwater environment, little is known of their impact on aquatic biota. In this study, we evaluated the cardiac and locomotor responses of signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of either 2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid (PBSA, 3 µg/L) or 5-Benzoyl-4-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzenesulfonic acid (BP4, 2.5 µg/L). Specimens exposed to the tested compounds for 30 min exhibited significantly greater changes in distance moved and time active than did unexposed controls. Significant differences of mean heart rate change compared to control were detected in both PBSA and BP4 experimental groups. Such behavior and physiological alterations demonstrate ecological effects of personal care products with the tested sunscreen compounds even with a short exposure. Evidence of the consequences of organic UV filters on aquatic organisms is scarce and is an important topic for future research.

Mechanisms of impairment in hair and scalp induced by hair dyeing and perming and potential interventions

With the rapid growth of beauty and personal care industries, many hair-relevant products, hair dyes and hair perms in particular, are increasingly prevalent in both women and men, regardless of being young or old as they frequently change hair color or shape to enhance youthfulness and beauty and to follow fashion trends. Hair dyes and perms alter hair color and/or shape by mechanically changing the physical structure and chemical substances of the hair shaft. However, treatment of hair with chemical formulations has been potentially ascribed to adverse outcomes in the hair shaft including structure damage, chemical constituent disorder, and impaired physical properties, although hair cosmetics procedures are intrinsically safe. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of impairment in the hair shaft and scalp induced by hair dyeing and perming remain elusive. Additionally, adverse reactions activated by exposure to specific chemical ingredients including skin irritation, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), and even cancer risk have been reported clinically, but existing evidence is not consistent enough in the case of human studies. Herein, the review aims to give an overview of hair cosmetics, especially concerning the basic knowledge about various hair dyes and perms, the consequences for hair shafts and the scalp resulting from the application of hair cosmetics mentioned above, mechanisms of hazardous outcomes, and potential desirable interventions to alleviate the impairment.

Surface modification of hybrid composite multilayers spin cold spraying for biomedical duplex stainless steel

The performance of biomaterials in biological systems is of critical significance for advancing biomedical implants. Duplex Stainless Steel alloys are the major biomaterials due to their significant characteristics. Many functional coatings are deposited on DSS alloy surfaces utilizing numerous surface coating techniques to improve their bioactivity and protect them from corrosion degradations. Coatings of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), Hydroxyapatite (HA), and zinc oxide (ZnO) have received considerable attention in the field of surface bioactive modification of DSS alloy implants. The coating techniques play a key role in increasing the required biological characteristics of DSS alloys, such as biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance. In this regard, HA-ZnO, HA-TiO_2, and TiO₂-ZnO from each coating group are divided into single, double, and triple layers. These coatings were prepared by cold spray and deposited on the surface of the DSS alloy, followed by a heat treatment at 250 °C. The surface morphology of coated surfaces was analyzed utilizing field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopic (AFM), microhardness test, corrosion test in Ringer solution, and antibacterial test. The coatings showed nano-scale surface morphology with advanced crystallization and homogeneous structures; in the corrosion characteristics utilizing potentiodynamic polarization, triple layers of HA-ZnO coatings displayed advanced nanostructures with higher hardness values (514.75HV). The antibacterial test showed the triple layers of HA-TiO₂ and two layers of TiO₂-ZnO sensitivity to positive bacteria.

Using 3D printed magnetic platform as support for screen printed electrode applied for p-toluenediamine detection in biological fluid and water samples

The present work reports the development and application of a new electrochemical sensor for the determination of low concentration levels of p-toluenediamine (PTD) in biological fluids and surface water samples. The proposed sensor was developed using a 3D-printed magnetic device as platform for carbon screen printed electrode (CSPE) modified by magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with carboxylic groups and l-cysteine (MNP-CA-CYS). The results obtained from the morphological and electrochemical characterizations of the sensing platform enabled us to confirm the success of the sensor functionalization with l-cysteine and to have a better understanding of the electrochemical behavior and preconcentration of PTD on the electrode surface. PTD oxidation occurred at 0.24V on MNP-CA-CYS and the mechanism recorded an increase of 51.0% in anodic peak current. Under optimized conditions, the square wave voltammograms obtained for the electrode modified by 40.0 μL MNP-CA-CYS suspension at 1.0 mg mL^-1, with accumulation time of 3 min, presented an analytical curve with linear range of 8.00 × 10^-7 to 8.00 × 10^-5 mol L^-1, represented by the equation Iap = (0.383 ± 0.011)[PTD] - (8.112 ± 0.07) × 10^-8 (R² = 0.9994), and detection and quantification limits of 8.53 × 10^-8 and 2.56 × 10^-7 mol L^-1, respectively. Finally, the proposed method was validated through comparison with high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) technique and was successfully applied for PTD determination in samples of surface water, tap water, fetal bovine serum and artificial urine.

Niosomes for Topical Application of Antioxidant Molecules: Design and In Vitro Behavior

In the present study, gels based on xanthan gum and poloxamer 407 have been developed and characterized in order to convey natural antioxidant molecules included in niosomes. Specifically, the studies were conducted to evaluate how the vesicular systems affect the release of the active ingredient and which formulation is most suitable for cutaneous application. Niosomes, composed of Span 20 or Tween 20, were produced through the direct hydration method, and therefore, borate buffer or a micellar solution of poloxamer 188 was used as the aqueous phase. The niosomes were firstly characterized in terms of morphology, dimensional and encapsulation stability. Afterwards, gels based on poloxamer 407 or xanthan gum were compared in terms of spreadability and adhesiveness. It was found to have greater spreadability for gels based on poloxamer 407 and 100% adhesiveness for those based on xanthan gum. The in vitro diffusion of drugs studied using Franz cells associated with membranes of mixed cellulose esters showed that the use of a poloxamer micellar hydration phase determined a lower release as well as the use of Span 20. The thickened niosomes ensured controlled diffusion of the antioxidant molecules. Lastly, the in vivo irritation test confirmed the safeness of niosomal gels after cutaneous application.

The Safety and Efficacy of 1-Monoeicosapentaenoin Isolated from the Trebouxiophyceae Micractinium on Anti-Wrinkle: A Split-Face Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

The skin aging process is governed by intrinsic and extrinsic factors causing skin wrinkles, sagging, and loosening. The 1-monoeicosapentaenoin (1-MEST) is a component isolated from Micractinium, a genus of microalgae (Chlorophyta, Trebouxiophyceae). However, the anti-wrinkle effects of 1-MEST are not yet known. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-wrinkle effects of 1-MEST in vitro and in clinical trials. The cytotoxicity of 1-MEST was investigated in vitro using the MTS assay in human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs). Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-9 was determined by ELISA in HEKs irradiated with UVB after treatment with 1-MEST. A split-face randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1-MEST. The study evaluated wrinkle parameters and visual assessment, self-efficacy and usability questionnaires, and adverse events. The study showed that the 1-MEST was not cytotoxic in HEKs, suppressed MMP-1 secretion and MMP-9 protein expression in HEKs irradiated with UVB. The wrinkle parameters and mean visual assessment score were significantly decreased in the test group after 12 weeks and differed from the control group. There were no significant differences in efficacy and usability. Adverse effects were also not observed. The 1-MEST showed anti-wrinkle properties to slow down or prevent skin aging.

Multi-instrument assessment of fine and ultrafine titanium dioxide aerosols

The measurement of fine (diameter: 100 nanometers-2.5 micrometers) and ultrafine (UF: < 100 nanometers) titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles is instrument dependent. Differences in measurements exist between toxicological and field investigations for the same exposure metric such as mass, number, or surface area because of variations in instruments used, operating parameters, or particle-size measurement ranges. Without appropriate comparison, instrument measurements create a disconnect between toxicological and field investigations for a given exposure metric. Our objective was to compare a variety of instruments including multiple metrics including mass, number, and surface area (SA) concentrations for assessing different concentrations of separately aerosolized fine and UF TiO2 particles. The instruments studied were (1) DustTrak™ DRX, (2) personal DataRAMs™ (PDR), (3) GRIMMTM, and (4) diffusion charger (DC). Two devices of each field-study instrument (DRX, PDR, GRIMM, and DC) were used to measure various metrics while adjusting for gravimetric mass concentrations of fine and UF TiO2 particles in controlled chamber tests. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to apportion the variance to inter-instrument (between different instrument-types), inter-device (within instrument), and intra-device components. Performance of each instrument-device was calculated using root mean squared error compared to reference methods: close-faced cassette and gravimetric analysis for mass and scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) real-time monitoring for number and SA concentrations. Generally, inter-instrument variability accounted for the greatest (62.6% or more) source of variance for mass, and SA-based concentrations of fine and UF TiO2 particles. However, higher intra-device variability (53.7%) was observed for number concentrations measurements with fine particles compared to inter-instrument variability (40.8%). Inter-device variance range(0.5-5.5%) was similar for all exposure metrics. DRX performed better in measuring mass closer to gravimetric than PDRs for fine and UF TiO2. Number concentrations measured by GRIMMs and SA measurements by DCs were considerably (40.8-86.9%) different from the reference (SMPS) method for comparable size ranges of fine and UF TiO2. This information may serve to aid in interpreting assessments in risk models, epidemiologic studies, and development of occupational exposure limits, relating to health effect endpoints identified in toxicological studies considering similar instruments evaluated in this study.

Potentially Toxic Elements in Costume Cosmetics Used by Children and Adults Are Associated with Cancer Risk

(1) Background: Costume cosmetics, such as face paints and pancakes, are used by adults and children during Halloween, Carnival, or children's parties. However, the metallic-based pigments used as dyes in these products may contain toxic elements associated with different levels of exposure. Objectives: (a) to determine the Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Sr concentrations in face paints and pancakes; and (b) to estimate cancer and non-cancer risks posed by the concentrations of each element in these products for dermal and ingestion exposure scenarios during children and adult use. (2) Methods: A total of 95 samples of face paints and pancakes (four brands in different textures and colors) were purchased at the largest high-street commercial center in São Paulo city, Brazil. An extraction procedure with nitric acid was carried out using a graphite-covered digester block. Toxic element determinations were performed using an ICP-MS. (3) Results: The non-cancer risks estimated were lower than 1, except for dermal exposure in adults for some target systems. High cancer risk values raise concerns in both groups. The risk for children ranged from 10-8 to 10-5 and proved higher in cases of accidental exposure by ingestion. For occupational exposure in adults, cancer risks were even higher, ranging from 10-3 to 10-5, with the highest values associated with dermal exposure. (4) Conclusions: The study results suggest the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in cosmetics should be regulated/monitored to protect human health, especially for occupational exposure and use by children.

The chemistry behind the body art: unveiling the elemental profile and heavy metal content of natural tattoos and dyes by ICP-MS

Temporary tattoos and dyes are increasing popularity as an alternative to permanent ones. However, knowledge on its elementary composition is scarce and, this scientific gap can potentially make them a source of heavy metal exposure on humans. The present research aimed to explore the possibility of using the inorganic chemical signature to characterize natural pigments-based products and to evaluate the heavy metal content in jagua temporary tattoos and henna temporary hair dyes and tattoos. Thirty-four different samples of commercial products were analyzed for the presence and quantity of eleven trace elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Ba, and Pb) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The overall mean concentrations varied between 0.02 and 973 μg g-1 in solid samples or 0.01-1878 μg g-1 for paste ones, wherein potential fake products were uncovered. None of the 34 samples considered comply with the current European Cosmetics Regulation. Samples were differentiated according to their Cr, Zn, Ba, and Pb content. The overall results revealed highly variable levels in the investigated samples, which leads us to suggest detailed quality controls of these materials, due the fact that their continued use can origin potential threat to human health.

Medicinal Plant Growth in Heavy Metals Contaminated Soils: Responses to Metal Stress and Induced Risks to Human Health

Accelerating heavy metal pollution is a hot issue due to a continuous growth in consumerism and increased activities in various global industries. Soil contamination with heavy metals has resulted in their incorporation into the human food web via plant components. Accumulation and amplification of heavy metals in human tissues through the consumption of medicinal plants can have hazardous health outcomes. Therefore, in this critical review we aim to bring together published information on this subject, with a special highlight on the knowledge gaps related to heavy metal stress in medicinal plants, their responses, and human health related risks. In this respect, this review outlines the key contamination sources of heavy metals in plants, as well as the absorption, mobilization and translocation of metal ions in plant compartments, while considering their respective mechanisms of detoxification. In addition, this literature review attempts to highlight how stress and defensive strategies operate in plants, pointing out the main stressors, either biotic or abiotic (e.g., heavy metals), and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stress answers. Finally, in our research, we further aim to capture the risks caused by heavy metals in medicinal plants to human health through the assessment of both a hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI).

Dimethyl Fumarate-Loaded Transethosomes: A Formulative Study and Preliminary Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation

In this study, transethosomes were investigated as potential delivery systems for dimethyl fumarate. A formulative study was performed investigating the effect of the composition of transethosomes on the morphology and size of vesicles, as well as drug entrapment capacity, using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy, and HPLC. The stability of vesicles was evaluated, both for size increase and capability to control the drug degradation. Drug release kinetics and permeability profiles were evaluated in vitro using Franz cells, associated with different synthetic membranes. The in vitro viability, as well as the capacity to improve wound healing, were evaluated in human keratinocytes. Transmission electron microscopy enabled the evaluation of transethosome uptake and intracellular fate. Based on the obtained results, a transethosome gel was further formulated for the cutaneous application of dimethyl fumarate, the safety of which was evaluated in vivo with a patch test. It was found that the phosphatidylcholine concentration affected vesicle size and lamellarity, influencing the capacity to control dimethyl fumarate’s chemical stability and release kinetics. Indeed, phosphatidylcholine 2.7% w/w led to multivesicular vesicles with 344 nm mean size, controlling the drug’s chemical stability for at least 90 days. Conversely, phosphatidylcholine 0.9% w/w resulted in 130 nm sized unilamellar vesicles, which maintained 55% of the drug over 3 months. These latest kinds of transethosomes were able to improve wound healing in vitro and were easily internalised by keratinocytes. The selected transethosome gel, loading 25 mg/mL dimethyl fumarate, was not irritant after cutaneous application under occlusion, suggesting its possible suitability in the treatment of wounds caused by diabetes mellitus or peripheral vascular diseases.

Innovative In Vitro Strategy for Assessing Aluminum Bioavailability in Oral Care Cosmetics

Aluminum is an element found in nature and in cosmetic products. It can interfere with the metabolism of other cations, thus inducing gastrointestinal disorder. In cosmetics, aluminum is used in antiperspirants, lipsticks, and toothpastes. The aim of this work is to investigate aluminum bioavailability after accidental oral ingestion derived from the use of a toothpaste containing a greater amount of aluminum hydroxide than advised by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). To simulate in vitro toothpaste accidental ingestion, the INFOGEST model was employed, and the amount of aluminum was measured through the ICP-AES analysis. Tissue barrier integrity was analyzed by measuring transepithelial electric resistance, and the tissue architecture was checked through light microscopy. The margin of safety was also calculated. Overall, our results indicate that the acute exposure to aluminum accidentally ingested from toothpastes is safe for the final user, even in amounts higher than SCCS indications.

Para-phenylenediamine deteriorates oocyte quality by impairing mitochondrial function

Several studies demonstrate that para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is often added to permanent oxidative hair dyes. Sub-chronic topical exposure to PPD in male rats damages their testicular function; however, little is known about the effects of PPD exposure on the female reproductive system, especially on oocyte quality. In this study, we found that PPD can affect the meiotic capacity of oocytes and their fertilization potential. In particular, PPD can damage the spindle/chromosome structure and prevent oocytes from developing and maturing normally. Furthermore, PPD exposure compromised the dynamics of cortical granules and their component, ovastacin. In addition to the protein level of Juno, the sperm receptors on the egg membrane, were substantially impaired in PPD-administered oocytes, thus leading to fertilization failure. Finally, we found that PPD exposure resulted in abnormal mitochondrial function, which led to oocyte degeneration, apoptosis, and increased ROS levels. Altogether, our study illustrates that mitochondrial dysfunction and redox perturbation are the major causes of the poor quality of oocytes exposed to PPD.

A review on advances in removal of endocrine disrupting compounds from aquatic matrices: Future perspectives on utilization of agri-waste based adsorbents

In the recent past, a class of emerging contaminants particularly endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in the aquatic environment have gained a lot of attention. This is due to their toxic behaviour, affecting endocrine activities in humans as well as among aquatic animals. Presently, there are no regulations and discharge limits for EDCs to preclude their negative impact. Furthermore, the conventional treatment processes fail to remove EDCs efficiently. This necessitates the need for more research aimed at development of advanced alternative treatment methods which are economical, efficient, and sustainable. This paper focusses on the occurrence, fate, toxicity, and various treatment processes for removal of EDCs. The treatment processes (physical, chemical, biological and hybrid) have been comprehensively studied highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, the use of agri-waste based adsorption technologies has been reviewed. The aim of this review article is to understand the prospect of application of agri-waste based adsorbents for efficient removal of EDCs. Interestingly, research findings have indicated that the use of these low-cost and abundantly available agri-waste based adsorbents can efficiently remove the EDCs. Furthermore, the challenges and future perspectives on the use of agri-waste based adsorbents have been discussed.

Determination of Heavy Metals in Hair Dye Sale in Iranian Market: Dermal Sensitivity and Carcinogenicity Assessment

Despite the high consumption of cosmetics especially hair dyes in Iran, limited studies have measured human exposure to heavy metals in these products. Therefore, due to the sensitivity of the issue from a health perspective, this study was performed for the purpose of dermal risk assessment of heavy metals in different brands of hair dyes in Kashan region. The present study is an analytical-observational study. In this study, 36 samples of hair dyes from four best-selling brands in Kashan market (Iran) were selected; then the concentration of lead, cadmium, nickel, chrome, and cobalt was measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and reported as μg g^-1 of dry weight; and finally, a health risk assessment was performed. The heavy metal concentrations in the hair dye samples were 1.825, 0.525, 48.15, 2.975, and 0.575 μg g^-1 for Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Co respectively that were lower than the permissible limit. Both of HI and LCR were below of 1 and 10^-6 that indicated heavy metal in this study had not probable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for the consumers of these products. An exposure-based sensitization Quantitative Risk Assessment determined an absence of skin-sensitizing potential. However, Cr, Ni, and Co were found at concentrations above the allergenic limit of 5 μg g^-1. According to the results, although due to low concentrations of toxic metals, there is a low level of exposure to heavy metals in hair dye users, but can cause potential health damage to users.