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

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 31, pages 1032–1046 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Cosmetic powders contain numerous components, including titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). However, little is known about potential inhalation exposures to particles that are released during cosmetic powder applications.

Methods

We realistically simulated the application of five different eyebrow powders using a mannequin and then determined concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP), PM10, and PM4 fractions of particles that would be inhaled during powder application. We determined the size and shape of particles in the original powders and released particles, as well as their TiO2 concentrations and Ti content of individual particles.

Results

The application of eyebrow powders resulted in the release and inhalation of airborne particles at concentrations ranging from 21.2 to 277.3 µg/m3, depending on the particle fraction and the powder. The concentrations of TiO2 in PM4 and PM10 samples reached 2.7 µg/m3 and 9.3 µg/m3, respectively. The concentration of TiO2 in airborne particle fractions was proportional to the presence of TiO2 in the bulk powder.

Conclusion

The application of eyebrow powders results in user exposures to respirable PM4 and PM10 particles, including those containing TiO2. This information should be of interest to stakeholders concerned about inhalation exposure to TiO2.

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Fig. 1: Experimental setup to realistically simulate human exposure to particles released during eyebrow application and collect total suspended particle (TSP), PM4, and PM10 fractions that would be inhaled during powder application.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3: Real-time inhaled TSP and PM4 aerosol concentrations, as measured with a Grimm OPC as a function of eyebrow powders (i.e., T1, T2, T3, NT1, and NT2).
Fig. 4: Mass concentrations of PM4, PM10, and TSP aerosol fractions that would be inhaled during eyebrow powder application, as measured using a Grimm 1.108 OPC and filter-based gravimetric analysis for five eyebrow powders.
Fig. 5
Fig. 6: TiO2 mass concentration (µg/m3) and mass fraction (w/w, %) in the bulk powders and in PM10 and PM4 airborne samples.
Fig. 7: Ti mass fraction in individual particles of the PM4 and PM10 samples as a function of Ti mass fraction in individual particles in bulk powders.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the NIEHS Training Grant in Exposure Science (1T32ES019854); Project NJ07215, funded by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; and National Research Foundation of Korea grants (NRF-2018R1A6A1A03025761, NRF-2018R1A6A3A11048705), funded by the Korean Government. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the funding agencies.

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  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Hyeon-Ju Oh, Taewon T. Han & Gediminas Mainelis

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Oh, HJ., Han, T.T. & Mainelis, G. Potential consumer exposure to respirable particles and TiO2 due to the use of eyebrow powders. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 31, 1032–1046 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-020-00278-1

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