Risk assessment of trace metals in sunblock creams using DABCOnium-based ionic liquid-functionalized magnetic...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Trace metal contamination in consumer products like sunblock creams poses health risks.
• Efficient and sensitive analytical methods are crucial for detecting these contaminants.
• Magnetic nanoparticles offer advantages in sample preparation due to their recoverability and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel DABCOnium-based Brønsted acidic ionic liquid-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@(SU-DBC) NPs).
• To develop a magnetic dispersive micro-solid-phase extraction (MD-μ-SPE) method for trace metal analysis in sunblock creams.
• To evaluate the health risks associated with detected trace metal levels in sunblock samples.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4@(SU-DBC) NPs using SEM, XRD, XPS, FTIR, VSM, and BET.
• Application of the NPs in MD-μ-SPE for extracting Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb from sunblock creams.
• Analysis of extracted metals using micro-sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry (MS-FAAS) and optimization via central composite design.

Main Results:

• The synthesized NPs exhibited excellent magnetic recovery, colloidal stability, and recyclability.
• The MD-μ-SPE method achieved high recoveries (97.84–102.36%) and low detection limits (0.067–0.715 μg kg-1).
• Health risk assessment indicated permissible MoS, HQ, and HI, but elevated LCR values.

Conclusions:

• The developed Fe3O4@(SU-DBC) NPs-based MD-μ-SPE method is sensitive, precise, and effective for trace metal determination in sunblock creams.
• The method's efficiency and reusability make it suitable for routine analysis.
• Elevated lifetime cancer risk from sunblock contaminants necessitates further investigation and regulatory attention.