Kortlægning af kemiske stoffer i forbrugerprodukter, Nr. 86 2007 – Kortlægning og sundhedsmæssig vurdering af kemiske stoffer i deodoranter

Kortlægning og sundhedsmæssig vurdering af kemiske stoffer i deodoranter

Summary

Deodorants are used daily by major parts of the population and they may contain ingredients, such as certain fragrance ingredients and preservatives, which are among the most frequent causes of skin allergy. Furthermore, increased use of antimicrobials, eg. triclosan, has been suspected of causing microbiological resistance.

The aim of this project was to map the presence of selected fragrance ingredients and preservatives/antibacterials in deodorants on the Danish market and to perform risk assessment for a selected group of fragrance ingredients concering allergic reactions in the skin

The project was divided into tree phases: i) mapping of deodorants on the Danish market, collection of most sold products and control of labelling concerning declarations of contents according to the Cosmetic Directive ii) determination of the contents of 26 allergenic fragrance ingredients, which since March 2005 have to be declared, and iii) risk assessment of selected fragrance ingredients concerning skin allergy/contact allergy in view of the results of chemical analyses.

Mapping and collection of the most sold deodorants was based on information received from producers/importers and distributors of deodorants as well as other relevant information from the internet, SPT (Association of Danish Cosmetics Toiletries Soap and Detergent Industries) and Informationcenter for Environment and Health. In total, 97 deodorants were purchased, in such a way that most brands on the market, different types of deodorants and products intended for men and women were included in the investigation. Of the 97 deodorants, 23 products were chosen for chemical analysis for the 26 regulated fragrance ingredients and 15 products were selected for the analysis of triclosan content.

Risk assessment concerning skin allergy/contact allergy was performed for the fragrance ingredients isoeugenol, hydroxycitronellal, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC), cinnamal and cinnamyl alcohol and the preservative triclosan. The fragrance ingredients were selected to include potent allergens as well as frequent causes of allergic reactions. In addition, data from clinical investigation of individuals with allergic reactions to deodorants was also required as basis for the risk assessment. Experiences in the dermatological clinics has demonstreated that threshold values, derived from data from allergic individuals, are very efficient in preventing new cases of allergy as well as reducing symptoms in those who are already sensitized.

The results of the present investigation are as follows:

According to ingredients list on the products, one or more of the 26 fragrance ingredients, regulated for labelling, were present 65.9 % of the deodorants.
The content of fragrance ingredients differed in potency and frequency of allergic reactions. The most potent substances cinnamal, methyl heptin carbonat and evernia prunastri extract (oak moss abs.) was in the fewest products (1.1 % - 4.6 %).
Evernia prunastri extract contains two very potent allergenic substances, which according to an Opinion of the EU Scientific Committee advising on cosmetics (SCCP) should not be present in cosmetics, due to the risk of allergic reactions. Evernia Prunastri extract was present in 4.6 % of the products.
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC), hydroxycitronellal and isoeugenol, which are the cause of many allergic reactions, were present in 33 %, 27.3 % and 9.1 % of the fragranced deodorants respectively.
The chemical analysis of the 23 selected products showed that the contents of fragrance ingredients conformed to the labelling on respective products, and thus, they were in accordance with the regulations.
The risk assessment showed that between 3.4 % - 6.8 % of the produkts, as a minium, contained the fragrance ingredients HICC, hydroxycitronellal or isoeugenol in an amount, which surpassed the maxium acceptable concentration derived from the applied method.
Cinnamal was found only in one product at a level of 5 ppm, which is of no risk concerning allergy. Cinnamyl alcohol, which is transformed to cinnamal in the skin, was present in 12.5 % of the products.
All products respected the cosmetic regulation, which provides no concentration limitations for the investigated fragrance ingredients.
Approximately 40 % of the deodorants contained permitted preservatives. The most used preservative/anti-microbial in the deodorants was triclosan (in 15 % of the products) followed by parabens (in 9 % of the products) and phenoxyethanol (in 7 % of the products).
Triclosan was only present in deodorants in the expensive product category. The triclosan contents in the investigated products were with- in the maximal allowed concentration (0.3 %) in cosmetic products.
Triclosan is an allergen, but the frequency of allergy is not known. No dose-response investigations of triclosan’s allergenic effects have been performed, and therefore, it was not possible to perform its risk assessment.

It is concluded that fragrance ingredients, which are both potent allergens and frequently causes of allergy among consumers, are used as ingredients in deodorants. However, the most potent allergens were also the most infrequent ingredients. The allergens are often present in combination, the allergen load is significant. Some fragrance ingredients are found in deodrants, which according to a Scientific Committee advisory to the European Commission (SCCP) should not be present in cosmetics. Furthermore, levels of fragrance allergens, in a minority of products, were significant for the risk of allergy.. All products conformed to the requirements of present regulations concerning labelling as well as content of fragrance ingredients and triclosan.