KENYA STANDARD      KS 1764 : 201 8 
ICS 71.100.70  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deodorants and antiperspirants  — 
Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 201 8         Third Edition 2018  
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
ii  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
 
 
 
Haco Industries  Ltd. 
Rozeco Chemical Industries  
L’Oreal East Africa Ltd.  
Procter & Gamble  
Desbro Kenya Ltd.  
PZ Cussons East Africa Ltd.  
Unilever Kenya Ltd.  
Beiersdorf East Africa  
Kenya Association of Dermatologists  
Government Chemist’s Department  
Kenya Association of Ma nufacturers  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)  
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) — Chemistry Department  
Consumer Information Network  
Intertek International  
Ministry of Health  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards , are 
welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 201 8 
 
 Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 12 of 2001  of the Laws of Kenya, copyr ight subsists in 
all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 26 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Standards may 
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the Managing 
Director.  
 
 
 KENYA STANDARD        KS 1764 : 201 8 
ICS71.100.70  
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights  reserved   iii  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deodorants a nd antiperspirants — 
Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi -00200, Tel.: (+254 020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020) 604031  
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region     Lake Region          Rift Valley Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa -80100   P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu -40100        P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru -20100  
Tel.: (+254 041) 229563, 230939/40                Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396        Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555  
Fax: (+254 041) 229448    Fax: (+254 057) 21814  
 
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
iv  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   
Foreword  
 
This Kenya Standard has been prepared by the Technical Committee on Cosmetics and Related Products  under 
the guidance of the Standards Projects Committee and it is in accordance with  the procedures of  the Kenya 
Bureau  of Standards . 
 
Use of deodorants and antiperspirants is on the increase.  The safety of the consumer and utility of the product 
need to be taken into consideration by laying down the requirements for the product.  
 
This standard was first issued in 2003. In th e second edition, the title and the scope of the standard were 
rectified to cover all deodorants and antiperspirants packaged as roll -ons, aerosols, squeeze, stick products and 
any other permitted packaging. The first edition only cove red roll -on deodorants and antiperspirants.  
 
In this third edition, the pH has been adjusted to 3 -7 to cater for innovation in formulations.  
 
In the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following documents.  
 
Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009  of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union. 
(2009): Cosmetic Products . Brussels.  
 
ASTM E1207        American Standard Test Methods.  
 
IS 10758              Indian Standard Specification for deodorants.  
 
Godwin G. (1982). Harry's Cosm etology . 
Abamba  G. (1996). Skin and Skin products.  Module 14  
 
Acknowledgement is made for assistance obtained from these sources.  
 
 
 
 
 
  
KENYA STANDARD         KS 1764:  2018 
 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   1 Deodorants and antiperspirants — Specification  
 
1 Scope  
 
This Kenya Standard prescribes the requirements , sampling and methods of test for deodorants and 
antiperspirants.  
 
2  Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies.  
 
KS EAS 377 , Cosmetics and cosmetic products  
 
- Part 1: Lis t of substances prohibited in cosmetic products  
- Part 2: List of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions 
laid down  
- Part 3: List of colorants allowed in cosmetic products  
- Part 4: List of preservatives allo wed in cosmetic products  
- Part 5: Use of UV filters in cosmetic products  
 
KS 1669 , Specification for cosmetic and air freshener aerosols.  
 
KS EAS 346  , Labelling of cosmetic products.   
 
KS ISO 24153, Random sampling and randomisation procedures.  
 
3 Application  
 
3.1 This standard applies to all deodorants and antiperspirants packaged as roll -ons, aerosols, squeeze , 
stick products  and any other permitted packaging . 
 
3.2 This standard does not appl y to the medicated deodorants and antiperspirants, which claim 
therapeutic value.  Such products shall be registered with the Ministry  of Health.   
 
4 Definitions  
 
For the purpose s of this standard, the following definitions shall apply:  
 
4.1 antiperspirant   
preparation for preventing the flow of sweat  
 
4.2 body odour  
refers specifically to the armpit (or axillary) odour which tends  to have a characteristic smell  
 
4.3 cosmetic   
any preparation intended for placing in contact with various external parts of t he human body (epidermis, hair, 
nails, or lips) or with the teeth and mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view to exclusively or 
principally cleaning them, perfuming them, or protecting them in order to keep them in good condition, change 
their appe arance or correct body odours.  
 
4.4 deodorant   
substance applied to the body to mask the smell of perspiration  KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
2  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   
4.5 roll-ball  
a spherically shaped object, with the capacity to roll in all directions.  It is put at the opening of a roll -on 
container and se rves the role of closing the container as well as dispensing the contents, when rolled on the 
skin. 
 
4.6 roll-on deodorant and antiperspirant   
a cosmetic preparation with the effect of deodorizing and providing antiperspirant properties to the body of the 
user.  It is packed in a container fitted with a roll -ball. 
 
5 Ingredients  
 
5.1 All ingredients used including dyes, pigments and colour shall conform to all parts of  KS EAS 377.   
 
5.2 The deodorant and antiperspirant shall contain acceptable amounts of the  ingredients necessary to 
effect the intended end use performance as stipulated on the label.  
 
6 Requirements  
 
6.1 The preparation shall be of uniform colour, and shall be free from visible impurities.  
 
6.2  The final product shall not be harmful to the user under norm al use.  
 
6.3 Deodorants and antiperspirants packed in aerosol containers shall in addition be tested as per KS 
1669 , Specification for cosmetic and air freshener aerosols.  in addition to meeting the specifications of this 
standard.  
 
6.4 The deodorant and antipers pirant shall also comply with the requirements given in  Table 1 when 
tested in accordance with the methods prescribed therein.  
 
6.5 Heavy metal contaminants shall not exceed the limits shown in Table 2 when tested in accordance 
with the methods prescribed ther ein. 
 
 
Table 1 — Requirements for deodorants and antiperspirants  
 
 
 SL No  Characteristic  Requirement  Test method  
i) 
 Stability of smell  To pass test  Annex A  
ii) 
 pH neata  3 - 7 Annex B  
iii) Non-volatile matter, percentage m/m, minb 10.0 Annex C  
 
aThis te st does not apply to stick products  and aerosols . 
bThis test does not apply to stick products . 
 
  KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   3 Table 2 — Limits for heavy metala contaminants  
 
i) 
 Lead (Pb), ppm, max.  20.0 Annex  D 
ii) 
 Arsenic (As), ppm, max.  2.0 Annex  E 
iii) Mercury (Hg), ppm, max.  2.0 Annex  F 
 
iv) Total amount of lead, arsenic and mercury, 
ppm, max.,  ppm, max.  20.0 Annex G  
aThe heavy metals including Lead, Arsenic and Mercury shall be as a result of contamination during 
processing and not deliberate addition as an ingredient.  
 
7 Marking and labelling  
 
7.1 The product shall comply with the labelling requirements outlined in KS EAS 346 , Labelling of 
cosmetic products.   
 
7.2 In addition, the following warning shall be labelled on all products containing aluminium  zirconium 
chlorid e hydroxide complexes Al xZr(OH) yClz and the aluminium zirconium chloride hydroxide  glycine 
complexes:  
 
‘Do not apply to irritated or damaged skin.’  
 
8 Packaging  
 
 The deodorant and antiperspirant shall be packed in suitable  container s that shall protect th e 
contents and  shall not cause contamination or react with the product . 
 
9 Roll-ball construction  
 
If the container is fitted with a roll ball:  
 
8.1  The roll ball shall be made of plastic material.  
 
8.2 The roll ball shall be fitting on the container such that on holding the container upside down the 
contents shall not pour out.  
 
8.3 The roll  ball shall be free rolling, leaving a thin layer of the contents on the skin during dispensation.  
 
10 Sampling  
 
Representative unopened samples shall be drawn for test from the market or anywhere else following 
the procedure outlined in  KS ISO 24153, Random sampling and randomisation procedures . The 
samples shall be declared as conforming to the specification if they satisfy all the specified 
requirements.  
 
11 Methods of test for deodorants and antiperspirants  
 
Unless specified otherwise, analytical reagent (AR) grade chemicals and distilled water shall be used 
in tests. All calculations shall be done to 3 decimal places.  
 
 
 
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
4  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   
Annex A 
(normative)  
 
Determination of stability of smell  
 
A.1 Apparatus  
 
A.1.1 Porcelain c up 
 
A.1.2 Pincers  
 
A.1.3 Ten pieces of bleached gauze of dimension 5 cm x 10 cm  
 
A.1.4 Thermometer  
 
A.1.5 Hygrometer  
 
A.2 Procedure  
 
Put some pieces of bleached gauze which have been pre -washed in hot water without soap and dried into a 
porcelain cup and p our 1.5 mL of the sample into this cup.  
 
After the gauze gets soaked, take it out with the help of pincers.  
 
Without squeezing it, dry it in a premise having temperature 37 °C ± 2 °C and humidity of 65 ± 5 % for 12 h . 
 
A.3 Results  
 
The product shall be tak en to have pa ssed the test if, after 12 h , the smell of the sample can clearly be picked 
up. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   5 Annex B 
(normative)  
 
Determination of pH neat 
 
B.1 Apparatus  
 
B.1.1 pH meter equipped with glass electrode  
 
B.1.2 Beakers of 100 mL capacity  
 
B.2 Reage nts 
 
B.2.1 pH 7.0 buffer solution  
 
B.2.2 pH 4.0 and pH 9.0 buffer solution  
 
B.2.3 Deionized water.  
 
B.3 Procedure  
 
B3.1  Dip the pH meter into about 50 mL of pH 7.0 buffer solution.  Ensure that the reading is 7.0.  
 
B3.2  Rinse the meter with deionized water  and dip it into about 50 mL of pH 4.0 buffer solution. Ensure that 
the reading is 4.0.  Repeat using 9.0 buffer solution.  
 
Determine the pH of the sample solution using the pH meter.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
6  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved  Annex C 
(normative)  
 
Determination of non -volatile matter  
 
C.1 Apparatus  
 
C.1.1 Flex glass petri dish of 8 cm diameter  
 
C.1.2 Oven  
 
C.2 Procedure  
 
Weigh accurately 1 ± 0.2 g of the sample in the petri dish and place it in an oven at 105 ± 2°C for 1 h.  Cool to 
room temperature and weigh the dish.  Repeat the process to bring it to constant mass.  
 
C.3 Calculation  
 
Non-volatile matter per cent by mass  
 
 
 
   =    M2  - M1      x 100  
                 
          M 
where,  
 
M =  mass, in grams, of the material taken,  
 
M1 =  mass, in grams, of the dry and empty petri dish, an d 
 
M2   =  mass, in grams, of the petri dish and dried material.  
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   7 Annex D 
(normative)  
 
Determination of lead content in cosmetics by graphite  furnace Atomic Absorption 
Spectrophotometer (AAS ) 
 
D.1 Scope  
 
This test method specifies an electrothermal atomiz ation technique using graphite furnace AAS method for the 
determination of lead content of cosmetics.  
 
D.2 Warning and safety  
 
The acids used in the test are highly corrosive and should be handled with maximum care and where 
appropriate, use a fume hood du ring preparation of standards.  Lead is very toxic/carcinogenic and must be 
handled with maximum care avoiding physical contact.  
 
If spillage occurs, use adequate amounts of water and soap to wash off the spill.  
 
D.3 Principle  
 
The prepared solution is inj ected into a graphite furnace. Spectrometric measurements of the atomic 
absorption of the 228.8 spectral line emitted by lead hollow cathode lamp are then taken.  
 
D.4 Materials  
 
D.4.1 Reagents, chemicals and standards  
 
D.4.1.1  Nitric Acid ,  about 1.4 g/mL . 
 
D.4.1.2  Nitric Acid (1+1) v/v ,  mix 1 volume of conc. HNO 3 with 1 volume of  distilled water.  
 
D.4.1.3  Nitric Acid (0.1M) , place 17 mL of concentrated acid in 100 mL volumetric flask then top to the mark 
with distilled water and mix.  
 
D.4.1.4  Lead stand ard solution , 1 000 ppm  
 
In 1 litre volumetric flask, dissolve 1.598 g of Pb (NO 3)2 in minimum volume of 1 % v/v HNO 3 and finally top the 
mark using 1 % HN0 3.   
 
NOTE  Commercial grade standards can also be used when available.  
 
D.4.1.5  Lead standard soluti on - 100 ppb , this shall be prepared freshly by serial dilution of the lead solution 
(4.1.4) . 
 
D.4.1.6  Purge gas - Argon   
 
Sufficiently pure, free from water and oil and free from lead.  
 
D.4.2 Apparatus and equipment  
 
D.4.2.1  Atomic absorption spectrophoto meter fitted with graphite furnace  
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
8  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved  The atomic absorption spectrophotometer used will be satisfactory if after optimization according to the 
manufacturer’s instructions and when in reasonable agreement with the values given by the manufacturer and 
it meet s the performance criteria as set out in the manual.  
 
D.4.2.2  Lead hollow cathode lamp  
 
D.4.2.3  Ordinary laboratory apparatus , note all glassware shall first be washed  in hydrochloric acid ( 
about 1.19 g/mL, diluted).  
 
D.5 Performance  
 
D5.1  Sample preparat ion  
 
Ignite 1 g of sample at 500  2C to ash. Extract the lead from the ash with 20 mL of 2N HNO 3 , and repeat 
with 10 mL  of 2N HNO 3. Combine the extracts and dilute to 50 mL with 0.5 N HNO 3. 
 
D.5.2 Calibration  
 
D.5.2.1  Preparation of calibration curve  
 
D5.2.1.1  Dilute the stock 100 ppb solution with  0.1M HNO 3 to obtain solutions  with 10 ppb, 20 ppb, 40 ppb, 
60 ppb, 80 ppb and 90 ppb of lead.  
 
D.5.2.1.2  Inject 20 microlitres each of the six solutions in turns at the same rate starting from the lowest 
concentrated solution to the highest concentrated solution.  
 
D5.2.1.3  Record the corresponding absorbance values and plot calibration curve.  
 
D5.3  Quality control checks  
 
D.5.3.1  Duplicates  
 
D.5.3.1.1  All samples will be analyzed in duplicates and the stated acceptance criteria shall apply.  The 
absolute difference between two independent test results obtained using the same procedure shall be not 
greater than 10 % of the arithmetic mean of the two results.  
 
D.5.3.1.2  Spike distilled water with 10.0 ppb of lead  and obtain the recovery percentage.  
 
D.5.3.1.3  Recovery %   96. 
 
D.6 Procedure  
 
D.6.1 Test portion  
 
Use sample as prepared in D.5.1. 
 
D.6.2 Blank test 
 
D.6.2.1  Run a parallel reagent blank determination replacing the test solution with distilled water.  
 
D.6.2.2  Reagent blank should be  0.000 1 ppb of lead.  
 
D6.3  Instrumentation  
 
D.6.3.1  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparing the instrument for use.  
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   9 D.6.3.2  Install the appropriate lamp and adjust the current to the recommended value.  
 
D.6.3.3 Ensure that the autosampler pipette is correctly aligned and that the drain is available.  
 
D.6.3.4  Select the sample tray type installed.  
 
D.6.3.5  Ensure that the graphite tube is in good condition and correctly aligned.  
 
D.6.3.6  Switch on the cooling system, turn on the purge gas and finally start the instrument software.  
 
D.6.3.7  Select the relevant method and then condition tube.   
 
D.6.4 Instrument conditions  
The following conditions shall be used for the furnace during analysis of lead in addition  to those given in 
Table D .1. 
 
D.6.4.1  Wavelength:  283.3  
D.6.4.2  Slit:  0.7  
D.6.4.3  Atomization site:   Pyro/platform  
Table D .1 — Furnace conditions for lead  
 
Step  Temperature  
°C Ramp time 
(seconds)  Hold time 
(seconds)  Internal gas flow 
(L/min) Gas type 
1 (drying)  120 10 60 250 Normal  
2 (pretreatment)  700 1 30 250 Normal  
3 (cooling)  20 1 15 250 Normal  
4 (atomization)           1800  0 5    0 Normal  
5 (cleanout)           2600  1 5 250 Normal  
 
D.6.5 Spectrometric measurements  
 
D.6.5.1   Inject into the fla me the calibration standards, the blank solution and the test solution.  
 
D.6.5.2  Record the absorbance reading.  
 
D.6.5.3  If the absorbance of the sample in greater than the highest calibration standard, dilute the test solution 
appropriately using 0.1M HNO 3 for lead then measure the absorbance.  
 
D.6.5.4  Inject the calibration solutions in ascending order.  
 
NOTE  The calibration curve shall only be acceptable for analysis  when the correlation coefficient ( r)  0.99.  
 
D.7 Expression of results  
 
D.7.1 Method of  calculation  
The lead  content of the sample expressed in mg/L of product is equal to:  
 
 (C1   - C2) .V /M0 
 
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
10  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved  where ,  
 
C1  =  lead content of test solution expressed in mg/L  read from calibration curve,  
 
C2  =  lead content of blank solution expressed in mg/L read from calibration  curve,  
M0  =  grams of sample taken for analysis  (5 g), and  
 
V    =  volume of sample taken for analysis (100 mL).  
 
NOTE   If the test solution was diluted, then the dilution factor shall be taken into consideration in calcul ation.  
 
D.7.2 Expression of Results — Report results of manganese content i n mg/L as Pb in the sample into two 
decimal points.  
 
D.8 Method validation  
 
D.8.1 Method validation data.  
 
                          Table D.2 — Method validation data  
 
Element  Linearity  LOQ  ppb LOD  ppb 
 
Pb r  0.99 32.356  3.804  
 
 
D.8.2 Precision:  Repeatability   
the absolute difference between two independent test results obtained using the same method on identical 
test material in the same laboratory by the same operator using t he same equipment within a short interval of 
time should be not greater than 10 % of the arithmetic mean of the two results.  
 
D.8.3 Working r ange  
Pb10 ppb – 100 ppb  
 
D.8.4 Reporting l imits  
Pb 30 ppb  
 
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   11 Annex    E 
(normative)  
 
Test for arsenic using Atomic  Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS ) 
 
E.1 Scope  
 
This method describes the determination of arsenic in roll -on deodorants and antiperspirants.  
 
E.2 Reagents  
 
E.2.1 0.15 mol/L (  1.5 % v/v) hydrochloric acid, carefully add 15 mL conc. HCl to deionized water and 
make up to 1 L.  
 
E.2.2 0.25 mol/L (  1 per cent w/v) NaOH Solution , carefully dissolve 10 g sodium hydroxide flakes in 
deionized water and make up to 1 L.  
 
E.2.3 0.8 mol/L (  3 % w/v) NaBH 4 Solution , dissolve 3 g sodium tetrahydroborate in 1 % NaOH sol ution  
and make up to 100 mL with 1 %  NaOH solution.  
 
E.3 Stock solution  
 
The stock so lution contains 1 000 mg/L As.  The use of commercially available concentrated calibration 
solutions for AAS is recommended.  
 
WARNING    Arsenic solutions are toxic . 
 
E.4 Calibration solution   
 
1 mg As/L (in 1.5 % HCl).  
 
E.4.1 Aliquots for c alibration : 10, 25, 50 L. 
 
E.4.2 Corresponding to : 10, 25, 50 ng As.  
 
E.4.3 Diluent : 1.5 % (v/v) hydrochloric acid.  
 
E.4.4 Calibration volume : 10 mL.  
 
E.5 Reductant solution   
 
3 % NaBH 4 in 1 % NaOH solution.  
 
E.6 Oxidation state  
 
The hydride is generated much more slowly from As(v) than from As(III).  To prevent interferences, AS(V) 
must be prereduced to As(III) prior to the determination.  
 
Prereduction can be performed with KI in semiconc entrated (5 mol/L) HCl solution or, preferably, with L -
cysteine.  
 
E.7 Prereduction  
 
E.7.1 KI Solution , dissolve 3 g KI and 5 g L (+) - ascorbic acid in 100 mL water.  Prepare fresh daily.  Add 1 
mL of the KI solution per 10 mL of the sample solution in 5 m oL/L HCl and stand for 30 min.  
 Or  KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
12  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   
E.7.2 L-cysteine s olution , dissolve 5 g L -cysteine in 100 mL 0.5 mol/L HCl.  This solution is stable for at 
least a month.  Add 2 mL of the L -cysteine solution per 10 mL of the sample solution and stand for 30 min.  
 
E.8 Instrument c onditions   
 
E.8.1 Analytical w avelength :  193.7 nm.  
 
E.8.2 Slit Width and h eight :  0.7 nm Low.  
 
E.8.3 Radiation s ource :  Electrodeless discharge lamp for As.  
 
E.8.4 QTA h eating :  Heat the QTA in a lean, blue air -acetylene flame.  
 
E.8.5 Prepar ed m easur ement v olume :  10 mL minimum to 50 mL maximum.  
 
E.8.6 Pre-reaction purge t ime:  Approximately 50 s.  
 
E.8.7 Post-reaction purge t ime:  Approximately 40 s.  
 
E.8.8    Characteristic m ass:  0.95 ng As for 1 % absorption (A = 0.004 4).  
 
E.8.9 Character istic c oncentration :  0.095 g/L 1 % absorption for 10 mL calibration volume .  
  
E.8.10 Characteristic concentration c heck : 50 L of the 1 000 mg/L As stock solution (50 ng) give an 
absorbance of approximately A = 0.2.  
 
                Table E.1 — Alternat e analytical w avelengths  
 
Wavelength  
Nm Slit w idth 
Nm Sensitivity relative to 
main  
Analytical w avelength  
189.0  
197.2  0.7 
0.7 0.8 
2.0 
 
NOTE  Condition the QTA  in cold hydrofluoric acid if there is a decrease in sensitivity (and other causes are excluded).  KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   13 Annex    F 
(normative)  
 
Test for mercury using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS ) 
 
F.1 Method 1: U sing sodium tetrahydroborate (nabh 4) as reductant  
 
F.1.1  Scope  
 
This method describes the determination of mercury in roll -on deodorants and antipersp irants using sodium 
tetrahydroborate (NaBH 4) as reductant.  
 
F.1.2 Reagents  
 
F.1.2.1  0.15 mol/L (  1.5 % v/v) hydrochloric acid, carefully add 15 mL concentrated HCl to deionized water 
and make up to 1 L.  
 
F.1.2.2  0.22 mol/L (  1.5 % v/v) nitric acid , carefully add 15 mL concentrated HNO 3 to deionized water and 
make up to 1 L.  
 
F.1.2.3  5 %  (w/v) KMnO 4 solution , dissolve 5 g potassium permanganate in deionized water and make up to 
100 mL.  
 
F.1.2.4  0.25 mol/L (  1 %  w/v) NaOH solution , carefully  dissolve 10 g sodium hydroxide flakes in deionized 
water and make up to 1 L.  
 
F.1.2.5  0.8 mol/L (  3 %  w/v) NaBH 4 solution , dissolve  3 g sodium tetrahydroborate in 1 % NaOH solution 
and make up to 100 mL with 1 % NaOH solution.  
 
F.1.3 Stock s olution , the stock soluti on contains 1 000 mg/L Hg. The use of commercially available 
concentrated calibration solutions for AAS is recommended.  
 
WARNING  Mercury solutions are toxic.  
 
F.1.4 Calibration solution ,1 mg Hg/L (in 1.5 % HNO 3 stabilized by the addition of a fe w drops of 5  per 
cent KMnO 4 solution).  
 
F.1.4.1  Aliquots for c alibration : 100, 200, 500 L. 
 
F.1.4.2  Corresponding to :  100, 200, 500 ng Hg.  
 
F.1.4.3  Diluent :  1.5 % (v/v) nitric acid or 1.5 % (v/v) hydrochloric acid.  
 
F.1.4.4  Calibration v olume :  10 mL.  
 
F.1.5 Reduct ant s olution , 3 % NaBH 4 in 1 % NaOH solution.  
 
F.1.6 Instrument c onditions  
 
F.1.6.1  Analytical w avelength : 253.6 nm.  
 
F.1.6.2  Slit width and h eight :  0.7 nm Low.  
 
F.1.6.3  Radiation s ource:   Electrodeless discharge lamp or hollow cathode lamp for Hg.  
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
14  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved  F.1.6.4 QTA h eating :  No flame required. If condensation in the QTA is a problem, heat the QTA gently by 
mounting an infrared lamp above it.  
 
F.1.6.5  Prepared measurement v olume:   10 mL minimum to 50 mL maximum.  
 
F.1.6.6  Pre-reaction purge t ime:  Approximately  5 s. 
 
F.1.6.7  Post -reaction purge t ime: Approximately 50 s.  
 
F.1.6.8  Characteristic m ass:  4.68 ng Hg for 1 % absorption (A = 0.004 4).  
 
F.1.6.9  Characteristic c oncentration :  0.468 g/L 1 % absorption for 10 mL calibration volume.  
 
F.1.6.10  Characteristi c concentration c heck : 250 L of the 1 000 mg/L Hg stock solution (250 ng) give an 
absorbance of approx. A = 0.2.  
 
F.1.7 Notes  
 
F.1.7.1  Stabilize stock and calibration solutions by adding KMnO 4 or KI solution.  
 
F.1.7.2  Stabilize all solutions in the reacti on flask by adding 1 drop of 5 % (w/v) KMnO 4 solution before 
starting the determination.  
 
F.2 Method 2: using tin (Ii) chloride (Snci 2) as reductant  
 
F.2.1 Scope  
 
This method describes the determination of mercury in roll -on deodorants and antiperspirants  using tin (II) 
chloride (SnCI 2) as reductant  
 
F.2.2 Reagents  
 
F.2.2.1  0.15 mol/L (  1.5 % v/v) hydrochloric acid, carefully  add 15 mL concentration HCl   to deionized 
water and make up to 1 L.  
 
F.2.2.2  1 mol/L (  10 % v/v) hydrochloric acid, carefully add  100 mL concentration HCl to deionized water 
and make up to 1 L.  
 
F.2.2.3  0.22 mol/L (  1.5 % v/v) nitric acid, carefully  add 15 mL concentration HNO 3 to deionized water and 
make up to1 L.  
 
F.2.2.4  5 % (w/v) KMnO 4 Solution , dissolve 5 g potassium permangan ate in deionized water and make up 
to 100 mL.  
 
F.2.2.5  5 % (w/v) SnCl 2, dissolve 50 g tin (II) chlroride dihydrate (SnCl 2 2H2O) in 10 % HCl solution and make 
up to 1 L with10 % HCl solution.  
 
F.2.3 Stock solution   
 
The stock solution contains 1 000 mg/L Hg .  The use of commercially available concentrated calibration 
solutions for AAS recommended.  
 
WARNING  Mercury solutions are toxic  
 
F.2.4 Calibration solution , 1 mg Hg/L (in 1.5 %  HNO 3 stabilized by the addition of a few drops of 5 % 
KMnO 4 solution).  
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   15  
F.2.4.1 Aliquots for calibration : 100, 200, 500 L. 
 
F.2.4.2  Corresponding to:   100, 200, 500 ng Hg.  
 
F.2.4.3  Diluent : 15 % (v/v) nitric acid or 1.5 % (v/v) hydrochloric acid.  
 
F.2.4.4  Calibration volume : 10 mL.  
 
F.2.5 Reductant s olution , 5 % SnCl 2  2H2O in 1 0 % HCL solution.  
 
F.2.6 Instrument c onditions  
 
F.2.6.1  Analytical wavelength :  253.6 nm.  
 
F.2.6.2  Slit width and height :  0.7 nm Low.  
 
F.2.6.3  Radiation source : Electrodeless discharge lamp or hollow cathode lamp for Hg.  
 
F.2.6.4  QTA  h eating : No flame re quired.  If condensation in the QTA is a problem, heat the QTA gently by 
mounting an infrared lamp above it.  
 
F.2.6.5  Prepared measurement volume :  10 mL minimum to 50 mL maximum.  
 
F.2.6.6  Pre-reaction purge time: Approximately 5 s.  
 
F.2.6.7  Pre-reaction purge time:  Approximately 50 s.  
 
F.2.6.8  Characteristic mass: 4.68 ng Hg for 1 % absorption  (A=0.004 4).  
 
F.2.6.9  Characteristic mass: 0.468 µg/L per cent absorpotion for 10 mL calibration volume.  
 
F.2.6.10  Characteristic concentration check :  250 µL of th e 1 000 mg/L Hg stock solution (250 ng) give an 
absorbance of approximately A=0.2.  
 
F.2.7 Notes  
 
F.2.7.1  Stabilize stock and calibration solutions by adding KMnO 4 solution.  Do not use KI solution since 
iodine interferes in the release of mercury.  
 
F.2.7.2 Stabilize all solutions in the reaction flask by adding 1 drop of 5 % (w/v) KMnO 4 solution before 
starting the determination.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
16  © KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved  Annex  G 
(normative)  
 
Total heavy metals  
 
The total amount of heavy metals shall be calculated by adding up the values ob tained for Lead (A nnex  D), 
Arsenic ( Annex E) and Mercury (Anne x F).  The report shall be given in ppm.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 KS 1764 : 201 8 
 
© KEBS 201 8 — All rights reserved   17  
 
AMMENDMENT SLIP NO. 1, PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2015  
 
TO 
 
KS 1764:2012 Deodorants and antiperspirants — Specification  
 
 
AMMENDMENT  
 
In Table 1, amend the requirement for pH neat to read 3 – 7 instead of 5 – 7.