| dc.description.abstract | Currently, cosmetics are needed by people of all ages. It is not only used to give fragrance and make-up, but also to give a bright face effect, so market demand is increasing. Because of this need, not a few cosmetics on the market are polluted by additional ingredients that are even prohibited in cosmetics. Contamination is anything that enters cosmetics unintentionally and unavoidably, originating from the processing, storage, and/or carrying of raw materials. Contamination can be in the form of chemical contamination, biological contamination and or heavy metal contamination. Heavy metal contaminants in cosmetics are metallic and metalloid chemical elements, which have high atomic weights and specific gravity, which are toxic to living things. In this study, an analysis of the levels of mercury contamination in cosmetics obtained from Medan Petisah, Medan Kota and Medan Marelan was carried out. Mercury contamination levels were analyzed using a hydride generation Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Of the 24 samples analyzed, 8 samples were found to be positive for mercury. The level of mercury contamination contained in cosmetic preparations for night cream is in the range of 0.1 – 1 mg/Kg, and only one sample exceeds the limit permitted by the Government. | en_US |
