370
Cosmetics
Personal care products are also among the major contributor of paraben’s exposure.
Studies have demonstrated the level of parabens is relatively higher in persons using
cosmetics products regularly as compared to non-users. Remarkably, one study has
shown 20 times increase in propyl paraben in urine samples of girls who wear
makeup on daily basis in comparison to non-user girls [17]. Correspondingly, use of
face and hand creams along with hair products and deodorants are interlinked with
relatively higher concentration of parabens in urine [18, 19]. Also, one cohort study
on pregnant women demonstrated higher level of parabens in urinary samples,
because they utilize hair gel, nail polish, lotions, and cosmetics in last 24 hours in
comparison to those women who are not utilizing such products [20]. The allowable
concentration of parabens regulated by FDA in cosmetic products are 0.4% for single ester and 0.8% for mixture of parabens.
Pharmaceuticals/Medications
Pharmaceuticals have also significant contribution in daily exposure of parabens.
Average daily exposure to parabens is estimated to be 76 mg, from which medication contribution is 25 mg, 50 mg from cosmetics and 1 mg from food products. The
presence of parabens in pharmaceutical products is due to wide spectrum activity
against bacteria, yeast, and molds [21]. Similarly, studies have depicted that medications that contain parabens are also associated with elevated urinary paraben concentration even within hours of usage [13].
Although, these parabens possess low degree of systemic toxicity and generally
stable under physiological conditions, recent studies also clarify that repeated applications of topical products containing methyl paraben give rise to the accumulation
in stratum corneum of skin. Also, in pregnant women, parabens are interlinked with
biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage [21]. Among parabens, methyl parabens have
approved 0.15% in oral solution, while maximum potency of 1.8 mg in the tablet
formulation. Likewise, propylparaben has been approved up to 10% in oral solution,
while high potency of 0.22 mg in sustained action tablet formulation. In the same
manner, butyl paraben up to 0.016% in oral solution, while maximum potency of
0.04 mg in sustained action tablet formulation [13].
Metabolism
Evidences have suggested that parabens get absorbed either through inhalation or
dietary intake and also upon dermal applications. These undergo metabolism in living organisms [22, 23]. Methyl paraben treated HaCaT keratinocytes significantly
K. Haider et al.
Cosmetics
Personal care products are also among the major contributor of paraben’s exposure.
Studies have demonstrated the level of parabens is relatively higher in persons using
cosmetics products regularly as compared to non-users. Remarkably, one study has
shown 20 times increase in propyl paraben in urine samples of girls who wear
makeup on daily basis in comparison to non-user girls [17]. Correspondingly, use of
face and hand creams along with hair products and deodorants are interlinked with
relatively higher concentration of parabens in urine [18, 19]. Also, one cohort study
on pregnant women demonstrated higher level of parabens in urinary samples,
because they utilize hair gel, nail polish, lotions, and cosmetics in last 24 hours in
comparison to those women who are not utilizing such products [20]. The allowable
concentration of parabens regulated by FDA in cosmetic products are 0.4% for single ester and 0.8% for mixture of parabens.
Pharmaceuticals/Medications
Pharmaceuticals have also significant contribution in daily exposure of parabens.
Average daily exposure to parabens is estimated to be 76 mg, from which medication contribution is 25 mg, 50 mg from cosmetics and 1 mg from food products. The
presence of parabens in pharmaceutical products is due to wide spectrum activity
against bacteria, yeast, and molds [21]. Similarly, studies have depicted that medications that contain parabens are also associated with elevated urinary paraben concentration even within hours of usage [13].
Although, these parabens possess low degree of systemic toxicity and generally
stable under physiological conditions, recent studies also clarify that repeated applications of topical products containing methyl paraben give rise to the accumulation
in stratum corneum of skin. Also, in pregnant women, parabens are interlinked with
biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage [21]. Among parabens, methyl parabens have
approved 0.15% in oral solution, while maximum potency of 1.8 mg in the tablet
formulation. Likewise, propylparaben has been approved up to 10% in oral solution,
while high potency of 0.22 mg in sustained action tablet formulation. In the same
manner, butyl paraben up to 0.016% in oral solution, while maximum potency of
0.04 mg in sustained action tablet formulation [13].
Metabolism
Evidences have suggested that parabens get absorbed either through inhalation or
dietary intake and also upon dermal applications. These undergo metabolism in living organisms [22, 23]. Methyl paraben treated HaCaT keratinocytes significantly
K. Haider et al.