HPLC determination of PAHs in coal and plant tars used in cosmetics and OTCs

Potential dermal uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) following the use of cosmetics and topical over-the-counter (OTC) products containing coal tar and/or plant tars and oils obtained by dry distillation stirred up a wide concern among health and rcgulatory authorities. We have developed an analytical method which allows to determine specific PAHs both in cosmetics and their ingredients. In this preliminary scrutiny, we studied fifteen PAHs (Acenaphthene, Anthracene, Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Benzo[b]fluorene, Benzo[g,h,i]perylene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Chrysene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Fluoranthene, Fluorene, Naphthalene, Phenanthrene, Pyrene) and ascertained their likely presence in four tars for topical use and three hair shampoos. The analytical procedure consists of: sample extraction with a Soxhlet equipment, extract clean up and determination of PAHs by reversed-phase HPLC. The analysis was performed by a HPLC apparatus equipped with a Diode Array Detector.