Abstract

Introduction: Beautification of the skin is now a global phenomenon with both males and females engaging in the practice of body painting with little or no awareness on the toxicology of the art. The presence of toxic heavy metals as part of the constituents of the colours and dyes used in the body painting have been implicated in a number of health conditions including Blood borne diseases, Keloids and compromising the immune status. Aim: This study was, therefore, designed to determine the concentration of total heavy metals in the chemicals materials used in body painting. Materials and Methods: Twenty (20) various samples of body painting chemical materials (Natural and synthetic) were obtained in four open markets and analysed for heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cu) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: The results observed ranged 7.09- 106, 0.31-0.50, 0.94-4.81, 0.24-0.89, 0.003-0.6 and 0.002- 0.002 (µg/g) for Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cd respectively in natural (Plant based) materials while in synthetic materials, the results ranged 0.31- 5.31, 0.31-0.50, 0.29-2.72, 0.11-0.91, 0.003-0.003 and 0.002-0.002 (µg/g) for Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cd respectively. The decrease order of metals in all samples investigated is Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd. Conclusion: The concentration of some of the metals investigated were relatively high and bio accumulation of these metals portend health threats. Therefore, health agencies and other regulatory bodies should enforce control on the public use of these body painting chemicals

Keywords: Painting, Tattoo, Heavy Metals, and Blood Borne Diseases