An Analytical Study of Lead Levels in Jewellery, Cosmetics & Toys for Children in Bangladesh

Introduction: Lead is a potent neurotoxin that poses serious risks when it contaminates consumer products accessible to children. Toys, which are essential for fostering cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth during childhood, can become dangerous sources of lead exposure, along with children’s jewellery and certain cosmetics. Objectives: This study investigates lead contamination in children’s toys, jewellery and cosmetics available in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: Purposively collected 250 children’s products (toys, jewellery and cosmetics primarily made of colourful plastic, metal and painted wood) from major markets in Dhaka city, Bangladesh were analysed. The samples were analysed using a Portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyser. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics to assess the prevalence and severity of lead contamination in the samples. The percentage of samples exceeding the 90-ppm safety threshold was calculated. Results: Lead was detected in 62.8% of samples, and 58.6% exceeded 90 ppm safety threshold. Toys constituted the majority of lead (82.8%), followed by cosmetics (12.1%) and jewellery (5.1%). Plastic materials were the most common source of lead contamination (80.9%). Conclusions: There is an urgent need for stricter regulatory enforcement and increased public awareness to protect children in Bangladesh from lead exposure in consumer products.