Background. Microbiological purity of cosmetics provides safety of users during their use, prevents physicochemical changes of a preparation, infections and diseases of the skin. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the level of microbiological contamination of cosmetics used by one person and by several people and cosmetics after their expiry date in relations to standards for marketed cosmetics, ensuring safety of their use. Material and Methods. This study was conducted using 55 samples representing 19 types of cosmetics, divided into three groups: used by one person, used by several people and after the expiry date. In cosmetic samples the general numbers of aerobic mesophilic bacteria were determined with the spread plate method on tryptic-soy agar. The presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were also checked. Results. The number of aerobic mesophylic bacteria in the tested cosmetics ranged from the level below the method detectability to 1.3×107 cfu/g or ml. The presence of Staphylococcus spp. was found in 11 (20.0%) tested cosmetic samples and of P. aeruginosa in one tested preparation. Yeasts C. albicans were not detected, whereas contamination with fungi Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. ranging from 0.5×101 to 1.5×101 cfu/g or ml was recorded in four cosmetics. The level of microbiological contamination of cosmetics used by several people was higher than that of cosmetics used by one person. Cosmetics after the expiry date showed the highest microbiological contamination. Conclusions. The number of users of cosmetic and it expiry date exceeding influenced the level of microbial contamination of preparations.
The main reason responsible for the presence of contaminations such as heavy metals in plant products is increasing environmental pollution. As a consequence of contamination, the elements penetrate the plant and animal world as well as food and drugs. The presence of heavy metals was traced in all the investigated herbal preparations, the highest levels being found in tea bags, slightly lower – in granulated teas and gels for difficult teething. The passage of the metals to tea bags varied from 1% to 35%. Many of the investigated preparations cannot be recognized as safe as regards the levels of heavy metals, especially in relation to young children.
Pesticides are a group of synthetic compounds introduced to biocenosis as a result of intentional human activity. Due to their long-lasting presence in the soil, the ability to spread as well as resistance to technological processes, the remains of pesticides can transfer to the human organism, where they cause acute and chronic intoxication. Organochlorine pesticides have been identified in herbal preparations, and especially in herbal and herbal-fruit teas in bags as well as in their infusions. The most commonly identified residues of pesticides found in these preparations include HCH, aldrin, DDE and DMDH. The percentage extraction of organochlorine pesticides is differentiated and ranges from 3 to 95.1.
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