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Determination of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in cosmetic products by LC–MS–MS

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Abstract

We have developed and validated in-house a liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC–MS–MS) method for determination of N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) in cosmetics. The sample is diluted with water and then a C18 clean-up is performed. The average recovery of NDELA is 88.3%, range 48.3–112.7%, and the limit of detection is 22.8 μg kg−1. The repeatability is 7.6%, and the intermediate precision is 8.7%. Surveys were carried out in the Netherlands in September and October 2002 to determine the quantities of NDELA in cosmetics marketed in the Netherlands. The LC–MS–MS method was used to determine the NDELA content of 140 cosmetic products including shower gels, hair oils, shampoos and conditioners, cream and foam baths, mud baths, scrubs, crème and other soaps, and body washes. NDELA at levels ranging from 23 to 992 μg kg−1 was found in 35 cosmetic products.

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Acknowledgements

This study, within RIVM Project 310303 Nitrosoverbindingen in voeding en gebruiksartikelen, was done on behalf of, and for the account of the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the Inspectorate for Health Protection and Veterinary Public Health, The Netherlands. The method described is currently under discussion for standardization in ISO TC 217 (cosmetics) wg 3 (nitrosamines).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Food and Residue Analyses (ARO), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720, BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    R. C. Schothorst & H. H. J. Somers

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  1. R. C. Schothorst
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  2. H. H. J. Somers
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Correspondence to R. C. Schothorst.

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Schothorst, R.C., Somers, H.H.J. Determination of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in cosmetic products by LC–MS–MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 381, 681–685 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-004-2914-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-004-2914-5

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