Kortlægning af kemiske stoffer i forbrugerprodukter, 55 – Kortlægning af læbeplejeprodukter med duft, smag m.v.

Kortlægning af kemiske stoffer i forbrugerprodukter, 55 – Kortlægning af læbeplejeprodukter med duft, smag m.v.

2 English summary

In the spring of 2004, DTC chose a selection of 109 lip care products representative of lip care products on the Danish marked. Approximately 46% of the products are marketed to children and approx. 78% to both children and the young. Coloured and scented products are seen particularly among products for children; 96% of the products for this target group are coloured and 92% contain perfume. A total of 86% of the purchased products contain perfume.

The analytical results of 20 lip care products, selected among the 109 products, with target groups children, the young or adults show that 19 of the 20 analysed products (95%) contain one or more sensitizing fragrances, and two out of three products (67%) selected for analysis of methyl eugenol contain this substance.

Exposure scenarios for two standard persons have been calculated for all 27 fragrances, and health assessments have been made for the substances linalool, geraniol, benzyl benzoate, eugenol and methyl eugenol. Although the exposure calculations show low daily exposure when using lip care products, it should be pointed out that as there is no lower concentration limit for the substances' ability to elicit sensitizing effects, exposure pose a risk of developing allergy in particular sensitive persons, including children, from products with a high content of fragrances. This is emphasised by the fact that obligation of labelling has been determined by the EU for these fragrances above a certain concentration limit in the finished product, and that several of the products contain sensitizing fragrances which by March 2005 must be stated on the products' INCI declarations according to the legislation on cosmetic products.

As it is not immediately possible to estimate the concentration and content of the sensitizing fragrances in a product, nor by smelling the product, the coming declaration of contents will provide consumers with the opportunity to obtain this information.

Based on the products' INCI declarations, oils and fats used in the products have also been examined. Oils and fats are classified according to whether they are made from oil/coal (mineral) or extracted from plants or animals. Based on the exposure scenarios and literature data, it is assessed that there are no health hazards when using mineral oils and fats in lip care products.