Sun protection factor and chemical composition of clays

Ultraviolet radiation is the most important environmental risk factor in developing of skin cancer and other skin related ailments. These diseases can be treated or prevented. Resources for diagnosis and treatment of cancer in low and middle level countries are limited or nonexistent. Prevention is achieved through use of sunscreens. Commercial sunscreens are considered most effective, however, they are costly, unavailable and might contain toxic ingredients which can be cancerous. Sunscreens from natural sources like plants and clay are currently explored are cheap, reliable, available and better alternative. This study involved determination of SPF and Physico-chemical characterization of clays applied on the skin by the Maasai, Kalenjin and Luhya language speaking communities of Kenya. Ultra violet visible spectrometry was used in SPF determination, pH meter for pH analysis, Bouyocus method used in textural quantification, X-RFS and X-RPD spectroscopic techniques used for both oxides and clay mineral identification, and finally atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for both heavy metal and essential element quantification.