Heavy metal hazard

The latter is the case for heavy metals, as their persistence in the environment and their natural presence in rocks, soil, and water cause them to be present in the manufacture of pigments and other raw materials used in various industries, including cosmetics (Health Canada, 2009a). [...] While all eight of the metals of concern are associated with various health effects, arsenic, cadmium, and lead are of the most concern because they are deemed “toxic” in Canada due to their health effects (Environment Canada, 2010b), are banned as intentional ingredients in cosmetics (Health Canada, 2010a), and have draft limits as impurities in cosmetics (Health Canada, 2009a). [...] Of the chemicals of most concern, arsenic was detected in 20 per cent of the products, cadmium was detected in 51 per cent, lead was detected in 96 per cent, and mercury was found in none of the items tested. [...] The following chart outlines some of the CHMS findings and focuses on the levels of heavy metals in blood for over 5,300 people even if an element was also detected in urine, and the levels found in urine in those cases where levels in blood were not measured (Health Canada, 2010b). [...] In the case of nickel, high levels of exposure can lead to health effects depending on route and the kind of nickel exposed to (Health Canada, 2010b).