Description
Pigments based on 3d transition metals are widely used in cosmetic industry, thus detection of contamination with heavy elements is of highest importance. Many methods are used to determine the concertation of elements with a variety of detection limits and often specific requirements for material preparation. Among these methods, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF) is an attractive tool as it provides very low detection limits (as low as sub ppm levels) without any sample preparation. On the other hand detection of trace amounts of heavy elements in pigments is very challenging due to the elemental complexity and strong spectral interferences.
The goal of this research was to check feasibility of assessment of the concentration and detection limits of lead in three eyeshadows coloured with the 3d metals such as Cr, Fe, Ti, Zn prepared in a form of pellets at PolyX beamline [1] at SOLARIS NSRC [2]. The results of the quantification will be confronted with the results gathered with ICP-OES spectrometer after acid digestion. The challenges and limitations will be discussed as well.
