Quantitative Determination of Formaldehyde and Ammonium Thioglycolate (ATG) Allergen Levels as “Quality Markers” in Commercial Synthetic Braiding Hair Sold in Selected Cosmetic Beauty Shops in Kisii Town, Kenya

Abstract

The current study investigated the quality of commercial synthetic braiding hair sold to consumers in a classical African beauty shop by determining the presence of Formaldehyde and Ammonium Thioglycolate (ATG) allergens present. These hair extensions often produced from traces of human hair, natural fibers or synthetic fibers lead to chemical exposure to consumers increasing public health concerns. Targeted analysis (TA) was used to analyse the chemical composition of commonly used commercial Synthetic braiding hair. Allergic reactions that include scalp irritation and dandruffs have been reported among consumers in frequent users. The model compounds in this study, i.e. Formaldehyde and Ammonium Thioglycolate have been specifically associated with various skin conditions. A total of 6 samples i.e. (3) samples of the same braiding hair samples were obtained from atleast two cosmetic beauty shops in Kisii town, Kenya. The samples were analysed in the laboratory first by cutting and dividing the elongated samples into (3) parts; (i) center (ii) outer (iii) Ends. Separate pieces of the cut braids from all the brands were cut into small pieces, placed into (18) separate test tubes securely inserted into (3) test tube stands. Qualitative visual determination of the presence of Formaldehyde and Ammonium Thioglycolate in the samples in each test tube was achieved using the silver mirror test (Tollens’ reagent) and silver nitrate solution. Quantitative determination was done using chemical concentration in the samples was determined by UV-Vis Spectroscopy (SHIMADZU 1800) at λ= 353 nm. The results were analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods that included observation and interpretation, while quantitative data was analyzed using correlation analysis and data visualization techniques. This led to the conclusion of the absence of Ammonium Thioglycolate (ATG) in the sample’s alpha and Omega. For both alpha and omega samples, the appearance of s silver mirror in the test tube confirmed the presence of formaldehyde. The average concentration of formaldehyde (ppm) was determined as follows: -[alpha = 80 ppm; omega=50 ppm)]. Hair braiding sections revealed the following formaldehyde loadings as follows :-[(( alpha)- center=80 ppm; outer layer=90 ppm; Ends/edges=70 ppm) ;(Omega)- center=50 ppm; outer layer 70 ppm; Ends/edges= 40 ppm))]. The results indicate the alpha brand is of better quality due to lower formaldehyde levels. The results show increased presence of formaldehyde at the outer layer of the hair braiding samples while the ends/edges showed decreased levels. The current study concludes that both alpha and omega hair braiding samples did not contained any traces of ammonium thioglycolate result but were contaminated with formaldehyde.