Overview
Agustina et al. measured lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in five face-whitening cream samples sold around Sleman, Yogyakarta. The study is direct personal-care product occurrence evidence. Pb was detected in three of five samples and Cd was reported in all five, with all values below the Indonesian BPOM thresholds cited by the authors.
Key numbers
| Sample | Pb (ppm) | Cd (ppm) |
|---|---|---|
| A | not detected or negative instrument value reported as -0.729 | 1.199 |
| B | 0.017 | 1.274 |
| C | 1.082 | 1.254 |
| D | 1.242 | 1.215 |
| E | not detected or negative instrument value reported as -0.409 | 1.232 |
| BPOM comparator cited by authors | Pb < 20 ppm | Cd < 5 ppm |
Methods (brief)
The authors randomly selected five whitening creams from stores around Sleman, Yogyakarta. One gram of each sample was wet-digested with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, diluted, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy for Pb and Cd.
Negative Pb values are instrument/calibration artifacts in the source reporting and should be treated as nondetects, not as negative concentrations.
Implications
For skin-lightening and whitening-product pages, this source provides Indonesia-market Pb and Cd values for low-cost retail whitening creams. It supports the common pattern that cadmium may be present even when values remain below local cosmetic thresholds.
Related evidence
- Skin Lightening Cream — RETIRED (out of HMTc scope)
- Whitening products (strips/gels/powders/pens)
- Lead
- Cadmium
Update history
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