Development of a laser induced breakdown sensor for detection of carcinogenic chemicals in cosmetic products

A highly sensitive Laser Induced Break down Sensor has been developed using a fourth harmonic Nd: YAG laser and a spectrograph with an ICCD camera to detect carcinogenic substances in cosmetic products especially hair dyes and Kohl available on the local market with in Saudi Arabia. For the hair dye, chromium (Cr) was detected using a spectral marker line of 427.5 nm and concentrations in the range of 5-11 ppm were detected by the LIBS sensor with a detection limit of 1.2 ppm. For Kohl eyeliners lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) was detected using atomic transitions at wavelengths of 405.7 nm and 425.4 nm respectively as the spectral marker lines. Lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) was detected in the concentration range of 5-14 ppm and 4-9 ppm with detection limits of lppm and 2 ppm respectively.