Evaluation of Health Hazards, Physicochemical Properties and Detection of Trace Elements in Frequently Utilized Body Soaps Purchased from Chattogram Local Market, Bangladesh

The use of beauty soap is a typical daily activity and is extremely popular in Bangladesh. The current study concentrates on evaluating various physicochemical features such as moisture content, pH, total alkali content, total fatty matter and some dangerous heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Mercury (Hg) contamination in some beauty soaps regularly used by Bangladeshi people. The most crucial qualities describing the quality of soap are total alkali, fatty matter, pH, and moisture concentrations; these are always indicated in business transactions. Most of the studied samples’ physicochemical properties fell within the recommended standard ranges by the International Standard Organization. However, in a few samples, pH, total alkali, and free alkali were found to be greater than the recommended values. The findings show that Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cr concentrations are within acceptable limits, whereas Pb, Ni, and Cd concentrations are determined to be below WHO/EU acceptable limits. However, the WHO found that the Chromium levels in Kumarika and Himalaya soaps were higher than allowed. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) associated with these metal intakes through dermal exposure are used to assess the potential health hazards. According to the estimated chromium Carcinogenic Risk (CR), it falls within the tolerable limit. The findings of cancer and non-cancer risk tests show that although there was little likelihood that using these soaps would increase one’s risk of developing cancer or a non cancer, the accumulation of trace metals over time and with continued use could be harmful to Bangladeshi citizens. So, precautions are necessary. One should not use one type of soap for a longer period.