Assessment of lead and cadmium levels in frequently used cosmetic products in Iran.

This study aims to investigate the content of lead and cadmium in most frequently used brands of cosmetic products (lipstick and eye shadow) in Iran. Fifty samples of lipstick (5 colors in 7 brands) and eye shadow (3 colors in 5 brands) were selected taken from large cosmetic stores in Isfahan (Iran) and lead and cadmium of them were analyzed. The results showed that the concentration of lead and cadmium in the lipsticks was within the range of 0.08-5.2 µ g/g and 4.08-60.20 µ g/g, respectively. The eye shadow samples had a lead level of 0.85-6.90 µ g/g and a cadmium level of 1.54-55.59 µ g/g. The content range of the heavy metals in the eye shadows was higher than that of the lipsticks. There was significant difference between the average of the lead content in the different brands of the lipsticks and eye shadows. Thus, the continuous use of these cosmetics can increase the absorption of heavy metals, especially Cd and Pb, in the body when swallowing lipsticks or through dermal cosmetic absorption. The effects of heavy metals such as lead can be harmful, especially for pregnant women and children. Therefore, effort must be made to inform the users and the general public about the harmful consequences of cosmetics.

Evaluation of chemical and microbiological quality in 21 brands of Iranian bottled drinking waters in 2012: a comparison study on label and real contents.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare chemical and microbiological quality of the 21 Iranian bottled drinking waters reported on manufacturer's labeling and standards in 2012. Samples were analyzed for chemical properties K(+), F(-), SO4 (2-), Cl(-), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and pH. Total and fecal coliform and heterotrophic plate counts of selected samples were analyzed by MPN and HPC tests, respectively, for three months. Finally, the labeled and real contents of the samples were compared. Potassium and sulfate ions about 43 and 52 percent of studied sample contents had values higher than label amounts, respectively. Ca(2+), Cl(-) ions, and pH were about 71, 48, and 67 percent, respectively, less than label values. Total and fecal coliforms had negative results. The mean concentrations and standard deviations for K(+), Cl(-), pH, Ca(2+), Mg(2+), SO4 (2-), and HPC were 1.13 ± 1.06, 16.39 ± 31.97, 6.6 ± 0.7, 28.35 ± 10.34, 86.58 ± 33.21, 24.17 ± 17.30 mg/L, and 16855 ± 25603 cfu/mL, respectively. Thus, there is possibility of microorganisms' growth in favorite conditions in bottled water. It was imperative to assess the public health risks in bottled water in Iran.

Predictive indicators of the safety of swimming pool waters.

Many outbreaks related to swimming pools could have been prevented or reduced if the pool had been well managed and effectively monitored. The aim of this study was to evaluate physicochemical and microbial parameters that can be proposed as an indicator for the safety of swimming pools. A total of 234 water samples, over a 10-month period in 2006-2007, were collected from indoor swimming pools in Isfahan. All water samples were analyzed for physicochemical and microbial parameters including temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, free chlorine, heterotrophic plate count (HPC), total (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC), fecal streptococci (FS) Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa). The highest isolation of microbial indicators was for total coliforms (38%) and the lowest for fecal streptococci (3%). The correlation analyses indicated that free chlorine concentration had a significant negative relationship with the heterotrophic bacteria population and total coliforms. Total coliforms presented a significant correlation with the other microbiological indicators. The results clearly showed that the hygienic quality of the swimming pools was dependent on the efficacy of disinfection. Thus, the free chlorine and pH were good operational indices for the quality control of swimming pools and must be maintained in the recommended range to ensure optimal disinfection. The results also showed that TC and HPC were reliable and practical indicators for routine quality surveillance and assessment of the efficiency of the disinfection process and safety of swimming pools.