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Exposure to and toxicity of methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben : A literature review with a focus on endocrine-disrupting properties
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Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Report
Language
en
Date
2018-03-21
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Exposure to and toxicity of methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben : A literature review with a focus on endocrine-disrupting properties
Translated Title
Blootstelling aan en toxiciteit van methyl-, ethyl- en propylparabeen : Een literatuurreview met een focus op hormoonverstorende eigenschappen
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Abstract
Parabenen zijn stoffen die als conserveermiddel in verschillende consumentenproducten kunnen worden gebruikt, zoals persoonlijke verzorgingsproducten, voedsel en medicijnen. Ze gaan de groei van schimmels en bacteriƫn tegen. Parabenen worden er van verdacht dat ze een hormoonverstorende werking hebben. Hormoonverstorende stoffen kunnen de hormoonhuishouding in de war brengen. <br> <br>Het RIVM heeft in een literatuurstudie voor de drie meest gebruikte parabenen (methyl-, ethyl- en propylparabeen) onderzocht of deze als een hormoonverstorende stof beschouwd kunnen worden. De beschikbare gegevens uit dierstudies die in de literatuur zijn beschreven, leveren echter onvoldoende informatie om hierover een conclusie te trekken. In de studie is ook bekeken of de mogelijke hormoonverstorende effecten zijn meegenomen in de wettelijke beoordelingskaders die van toepassing zijn. Omdat er onvoldoende gegevens zijn, is dat niet het geval bij de huidige risicobeoordeling. <br> <br>De blootstelling door persoonlijke verzorgingsproducten is behoorlijk goed onderzocht en lijkt in het algemeen het meest aan de totale blootstelling bij te dragen. De blootstelling vanuit voedsel blijkt verwaarloosbaar. Voor een acceptabele, eerste schatting van de blootstelling vanuit medicijnen is te weinig informatie beschikbaar. Uit de studie blijkt verder dat de mate waarin mensen aan de afzonderlijke parabenen worden blootgesteld naar schatting lager lijkt te zijn dan de hoeveelheid waarbij een gezondheidseffect kan worden verwacht. Voor deze blootstellingsschattingen zijn veiligheidshalve zeer ongunstige aannames gebruikt. In de praktijk worden mensen echter aan een combinatie van verschillende stoffen blootgesteld. Het is nog onduidelijk of en hoe deze gecombineerde blootstelling aan de verschillende parabenen meegenomen kan worden in de risicobeoordeling. <br> <br>Om hiaten in de kennis te vullen adviseert het RIVM om aanvullend onderzoek te doen naar de mogelijk hormoonverstorende werking van de parabenen en de blootstellingsschatting te verfijnen. Hiervoor worden aanbevelingen aangereikt. <br>
Parabens inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria and, as such, are substances that can be used as preservatives in a variety of consumer products, such as personal care products, food and medicines. Parabens, however, are suspected of having an endocrine-disrupting effect. Endocrine-disrupting substances can disturb the hormonal system. <br> <br>On the basis of a literature review, RIVM has investigated whether the three most commonly-used parabens (methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben) can be considered as endocrine-disrupting substances. However, the available data from animal studies described in the literature do not provide sufficient information to be able to reach this conclusion. This report also examines whether the possible endocrine-disrupting effects are included in the applicable legal assessment frameworks. Because there are insufficient data, this is not the case within the current risk assessment. <br> <br>Exposure via personal care products has been examined in some detail and generally seems to be the greatest contributor to total exposure. Exposure via food appears to be negligible. Too little information is available for an acceptable estimate of exposure via medicines. The report also shows that the extent to which people are exposed to the individual parabens appears to be lower than the level at which a health effect can be expected. For safety reasons, exposure assessments have been performed with very unfavourable assumptions. However, in practice, people are exposed to a combination of substances. It is still unclear whether and how combined exposure to individual parabens can be included in risk assessment. <br> <br>In order to fill the knowledge gaps, RIVM recommends that additional research should be undertaken into the possible endocrine-disrupting effect of parabens and refinement of the exposure assessment methods. Recommendations for this are provided. <br>
Parabens inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria and, as such, are substances that can be used as preservatives in a variety of consumer products, such as personal care products, food and medicines. Parabens, however, are suspected of having an endocrine-disrupting effect. Endocrine-disrupting substances can disturb the hormonal system. <br> <br>On the basis of a literature review, RIVM has investigated whether the three most commonly-used parabens (methyl-, ethyl- and propylparaben) can be considered as endocrine-disrupting substances. However, the available data from animal studies described in the literature do not provide sufficient information to be able to reach this conclusion. This report also examines whether the possible endocrine-disrupting effects are included in the applicable legal assessment frameworks. Because there are insufficient data, this is not the case within the current risk assessment. <br> <br>Exposure via personal care products has been examined in some detail and generally seems to be the greatest contributor to total exposure. Exposure via food appears to be negligible. Too little information is available for an acceptable estimate of exposure via medicines. The report also shows that the extent to which people are exposed to the individual parabens appears to be lower than the level at which a health effect can be expected. For safety reasons, exposure assessments have been performed with very unfavourable assumptions. However, in practice, people are exposed to a combination of substances. It is still unclear whether and how combined exposure to individual parabens can be included in risk assessment. <br> <br>In order to fill the knowledge gaps, RIVM recommends that additional research should be undertaken into the possible endocrine-disrupting effect of parabens and refinement of the exposure assessment methods. Recommendations for this are provided. <br>
Description
Publisher
Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu RIVM
Sponsors
NVWA