QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF SOME SELECTED TOOTHPASTES USED IN NIGERIA

Toothpaste is a gel that is used with toothbrush to clean the teeth. They are of different brands from different manufacturing companies hence, are made up of different compositions. In this research work, quality assessment of different toothpastes used in Nigeria were investigated. Five different brands of toothpaste were purchased in Edjeba market Warri Delta State, Nigeria and the physical parameters, and heavy metals were analysed in them. Physical parameters; the pH level of the toothpastes were determined using pH meter, the moisture and volatile contents were determined using a recommended method, the heavy metals (Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn) and Lead (Pb)) were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). From the results obtained, the pH value of these toothpastes were within 6.59 to 7.03, all the toothpastes fell within the NAFDAC recommended pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. The moisture and volatile contents of the toothpastes were within the range of 3.1 to 7.4 which were within the range set by NAFDAC. The heavy metals; Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn and Pb were detected in all the toothpastes samples. The level of Cd ranged from 2.470 to 2.952, Cu level was between 0.096 to 5.165, the level of Zn ranged from 13.396 to 24.164, Mn concentration ranged from 1.700 to 3.402 and Pb level was between 4.917 to 6.113. The results of the concentration of heavy metals in the samples shows that some of the toothpastes contains heavy metal in an amount higher than the set standards and may pose health problems to the consumers. Hence, there is need to educate the users on the danger of swallowing toothpaste and how to properly use them especially for children and pregnant women to ensure safety.