Toothpastes are molten form substance used by toothbrushes to clean our teeth for personal hygiene. Toothpaste is very essential for our daily hygienic routine. Heavy metals can be found in toothpastes by different means like usage of raw materials for manufacturing in which they are present due to their persistence nature, plant and water source and deliberate addition. Their long time exposure can cause serious issues in humans. Above than permitted level of heavy metals and minerals cause many health problems. They can disrupt living systems that can lead up to cancer and death threat. High levels of concentration of heavy metals are not acceptable in toothpastes and many countries including Pakistan have proposed their limits that should not be surpassed.
The purpose of this study was to assess the concentrations of heavy metals and minerals in different brands of toothpaste to be safe for human use. Samples were collected from different markets and pharmacies of Lahore. Samples were divided into five groups; local regular, local herbal, imported regular, imported herbal and medicated. Each group has five toothpastes. Samples were digested by diacid method. One gram sample was taken in Kjeldahl’s digestion tube and 7mL of HNO3 was added and after 30 min 3ml of HCLO4 was added. This solution was heated at 150 °C for 30 minutes on digestion block and then at 250 °C until wine green or water clear color end point. Digested samples were analyzed by using Multi-channel Flame photometer (AFP 100) for Na, K and Ca. Heavy metals like Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn Ni, Se and Fe byAtomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Polarized Zeeman Z-8230 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer).Flouride was determined by spectrophotometer (V-1100 Spectrophotometer). The result showed that lead (Pb) was under the permissible limit by Pakistani standard in all toothpastes. Copper (Cu) was not detected in any of the toothpaste. Zinc (Zn)concentration range was 0-137.9 ppm. In almost half of the samples zinc was not present at all while all other toothpastes have higher concentration than permissible limits. Forhan’s has the highest concentration (137.9 ppm) than permissible limit of US Patent.Although,mean value of every group has surpassed the permissible limit.Chromium (Cr) was also present above than permitted level in all of the toothpastes ranging 4-17.3 ppm. Manganese (Mn) concentration range was 0-37.5 ppm. Manganese was not found in 15 samples but in all others it has surpassed the permissible limit by Nigerian standard. Shield peppermint has the highest concentration of Mn. Mean value of every group has surpassed the permissible limit.Nickle (Ni) was present above than permissible limit in all of the toothpaste set by Nigerian standard. Ni concentration range was 1.6-10.8 ppm. Himalaya mint fresh has highest concentration of Ni. Selenium (Se) was present between 0- 1.5 ppm. Selenium (Se) was not found in six samples at all and three samples were having permissible limits which are; medicam herbal, himlaya mint fresh and sensdyne. While in all other samples it has surpassed the limit set by Chinese standard.Shield peppermint has highest concentration (1.5 ppm) of Se. Mean value for four group has surpassed the permissble limit while one group (imported herbal) has under the permissible limit.Iron (Fe) has passed permitted limit set by Nigerian standards in all of the toothpastes. The concertation range for iron was between 2.8-10.9 ppm.Forhan’s has the highest concentration. Mean value of every group has surpassed the permissible limit. Sodium (Na) has concentration range between 1425- 22608 ppm.Sodium (Na) was present above than permissible limit (2000 ppm) by US patentmedicam having the highest concentration except close up deep action, doctor herbal, oral b, dabur red and Himalaya sensi-relief that have under permissible limit but mean values of four groups have surpassed the permissible limit while imported herbal was present under the permitted limit. Potassium (K) was present between 145.8- 15283.3 ppm range. All of the toothpastes have under the permissible limit level of K. Calcium (Ca) was found in permitted limit in nine samples while all other have concentrations above than permissible limit(1120 ppm)by European standardmedicam having the highest concentration. Mean value of every group has surpassed the permissible limit. Fluoride was found in permissible limit in 15 samples while in all others it has surpassed permissible limit (1500 ppm) set by Pakistani Standardsensodyne having the highest concentration. Mean values for three groups (local herbal, imported regular, imported herbal) have under the permissible limit while two groups (local regular and medicated) have slightly above th