Health Risk Associated With Metals and Metalloids in Frequently Used Oil Perfumes Sold at Karu Market, Fct, Nigeria

The rising popularity of oil-based perfumes in Nigeria, particularly in markets such as Karu, FCT, Nigeria has raised significant public health concerns due to potential toxic metal contamination. These perfumes, prized for their affordability, portability, and intense fragrance retention, have become everyday essentials. However, their safety remains largely unknown. This study investigated the presence of toxic heavy metals—lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)—in 10 high-demand oil perfumes using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Alarmingly, all detected concentrations of these metals exceeded the permissible limits established by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dermal exposure assessments revealed mean hazard quotient (HQ) values ranging from 5.5 × 10⁻³ – 9.5 × 10⁻³ (Pb), 3.4 × 10⁻⁷ – 2.7 × 10⁻⁶ (Cr), 4.7 × 10⁻⁵ – 9.4 × 10⁻⁵ (Cd), and 5.9 × 10⁻³ – 1.1 × 10⁻² (As), with a hazard index (HI) between 0.01 – 0.02. The carcinogenic risk assessment revealed that exposure to these perfumes falls within the critical range of 1 × 10⁻⁶ – 1 × 10⁻⁴, except for Royal Black and Zam-Zam brands posing a significant cancer risk due to Cr levels. Furthermore, prolonged bioaccumulation of these toxicants could lead to severe dermatological and systemic health complications. These findings underscore an urgent need for stricter regulatory oversight and consumer awareness to mitigate potential public health risks associated with prolonged dermal exposure to heavy metals in the oil perfumes.