Vurdering af DHA i selvbrunende produkter der sprayes på i kabiner

Summary and conclusions

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) containing self-tanning products has existed for many years. Self-tanning spray booths were introduced on the market in 1999. These booths are more or less automatic. The health risks connected to exposure to DHA via inhalation and contact via eye and mucous membranes have not yet been subject to any investigations and are not documented.

According to an agreement with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the Danish Toxicology Centre (DTC, a unit of DHI – Institute for Water and Environment) has gone through a number of representative self-tanning preparations and techniques on the Danish market in order to create an initial overview of actual exposure and potential health risks caused by inhalation and exposure to eyes and mucous membranes to DHA.

The National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) was responsible for the monitoring programmes, and DTC conducted customer exposure assessments in connection with three booth techniques:

  1. Manual application  technique: The operator sprays the customer manually using a handheld spray pistol.
  2. 3rd generation booth is totally closed and fully automatic.
  3. 4th generation booth is open and fully automatic; the self-tanning lotion is electrically charged before being sprayed on the customer.

All exposure assessments are based on realistic worst-case calculations. As can be seen from the results, the operators in the salons are more exposed to DHA and the self-tanning preparations than the customers are. Furthermore, exposure of the eyes and mucous membranes to DHA and the self-tanning preparations constitute a greater quantitative exposure than inhalation. Due to the lack of data, such as NOAEL, LOAEL, etc. it is not possible at this level to conclude further on the extent of the exposure.

Due to the findings in this study and the limited data available on the toxic effects of DHA, the following risk reduction measures are recommended until further documentation is made available:

  • DHA and the self-tanning preparations should not be inhaled or in contact with mucous membranes.
  • Persons with asthma, sensitive skin or wounds should seek medical consultation before exposure to DHA and to self-tanning preparations.
  • Keep the mouth closed and protect the lips with lip balm during treatment.
  • Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid the use of DHA and self-tanning preparations in self-tanning booths
  • Continuous weekly treatment over a long time can not be recommended as long as there is insufficient knowledge of the effects of DHA.
  • Self-tanning preparations do not protect sufficiently against the sun. The genreral recommendations should be followed and sun tan lotion should be used, when exposed to the sun.
  • Booths should be equipped with exhaust fans in order to avoid unnecessary exposure of customers as well as operators.

 



Version 1.0 Juli 2006, © Miljøstyrelsen.