Urinary concentrations of four parabens in the U.S. population: NHANES 2005-2006

Antonia M Calafat, Xiaoyun Ye, Lee-Yang Wong, Amber M Bishop, Larry L Needham, Antonia M Calafat, Xiaoyun Ye, Lee-Yang Wong, Amber M Bishop, Larry L Needham

Abstract

Background: Parabens are widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetics, -pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage processing.

Objectives: We assessed exposure to methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl parabens in a representative sample of persons >or= 6 years of age in the U.S. general population from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Methods: We analyzed 2,548 urine samples by using online solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: We detected methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP) in 99.1% and 92.7% of the samples, respectively. We detected ethyl (42.4%) and butyl (47%) parabens less frequently and at median concentrations at least one order of magnitude lower than MP (63.5 microg/L) and PP (8.7 microg/L). Least-square geometric mean (LSGM) concentrations of MP were significantly higher (p <or= 0.01) among non-Hispanic blacks than among non-Hispanic whites except at older ages (>or= 60 years). Adolescent and adult females had significantly higher (p < 0.01) LSGM concentrations of MP and PP than did adolescent and adult males. Females were more likely than males [adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs): MP, 3.2 (2.99-5.27); PP, 4.19 (2.34-7.49)] and non-Hispanic blacks were more likely than non-Hispanic whites [MP, 4.99 (2.62-9.50); PP, 3.6 (1.86-7.05)] to have concentrations above the 95th percentile.

Conclusions: The general U.S. population was exposed to several parabens during 2005-2006. Differences in the urinary concentrations of MP and PP by sex and race/ethnicity likely reflect the use of personal care products containing these compounds.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
LSGM urinary concentrations by age and sex: (A) MP; (B) PP. Error bars indicate 95% CIs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
LSGM urinary concentrations by age and race/ethnicity: (A) MP; (B) PP. Error bars indicate 95% CIs.

References

    1. Andersen FA. Final amended report on the safety assessment of methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isopropylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, and benzylparaben as used in cosmetic products. Int J Toxicol. 2008;27:1–82.
    1. Bando H, Mohri S, Yamashita F, Takakura Y, Hashida M. Effects of skin metabolism on percutaneous penetration of lipophilic drugs. J Pharm Sci. 1997;86:759–761.
    1. Bergfeld WE, Belsito DV, Marks JG, Andersen FA. Safety of ingredients used in cosmetics. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52:125–132.
    1. Calafat AM, Wong L-Y, Ye X, Reidy JA, Needham LL. Concentrations of the sunscreen agent benzophenone-3 in residents of the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004. Environ Health Perspect. 2008a;116:893–897.
    1. Calafat AM, Ye X, Wong LY, Reidy JA, Needham LL. Urinary concentrations of triclosan in the US population: 2003–2004. Environ Health Perspect. 2008b;116:303–307.
    1. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) General Documentation on Laboratory Data. General Information about the NHANES 2005–2006 Laboratory Methodology and Public Data Files. 2009a. [accessed 2 September 2009]. Available: .
    1. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. 2009b. [accessed 2 September 2009]. Available: .
    1. Cowan-Ellsberry CE, Robison SH. Refining aggregate exposure: example using parabens. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2009;55:321–329.
    1. Darbre PD. Environmental oestrogens, cosmetics and breast cancer. Best Practice Res Clin Endocrinol Metabol. 2006;20:121–143.
    1. Darbre PD, Aljarrah A, Miller WR, Coldham NG, Sauer MJ, Pope GS. Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumours. J Appl Toxicol. 2004;24:5–13.
    1. Darbre PD, Harvey PW. Paraben esters: review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks. J Appl Toxicol. 2008;28:561–578.
    1. Duty SM, Ackerman RM, Calafat AM, Hauser R. Personal care product use predicts urinary concentrations of some phthalate monoesters. Environ Health Perspect. 2005;113:1530–1535.
    1. El Hussein S, Muret P, Berard M, Makki S, Humbert P. Assessment of principal parabens used in cosmetics after their passage through human epidermis-dermis layers (ex-vivo study) Exp Dermatol. 2007;16:830–836.
    1. Elder RL. Final report on the safety assessment of methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. J Am Coll Toxicol. 1984;3:147–209.
    1. Golden R, Gandy J, Vollmer G. A review of the endocrine activity of parabens and implications for potential risks to human health. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2005;35:435–458.
    1. Harvey PW, Darbre P. Endocrine disrupters and human health: could oestrogenic chemicals in body care cosmetics adversely affect breast cancer incidence in women? A review of evidence and call for further research. J Appl Toxicol. 2004;24:167–176.
    1. Harville HM, Voorman R, Prusakiewicz JJ. Comparison of paraben stability in human and rat Skin. Drug Metab Lett. 2007;1:17–21.
    1. Janjua NR, Frederiksen H, Skakkebaek NE, Wulf HC, Andersson AM. Urinary excretion of phthalates and paraben after repeated whole-body topical application in humans. Int J Androl. 2008;31:118–129.
    1. Jewell C, Ackermann C, Payne NA, Fate G, Voorman R, Williams FM. Specificity of procaine and ester hydrolysis by human, minipig, and rat skin and liver. Drug Metab Dispos. 2007a;35:2015–2022.
    1. Jewell C, Bennett P, Mutch E, Ackermann C, Williams FM. Inter-individual variability in esterases in human liver. Biochem Pharmacol. 2007b;74:932–939.
    1. Kiwada H, Awazu S, Hanano M. Study on the biological fate of paraben at the dose of practical usage in rat. 1. Metabolism and excretion of ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate (ethyl paraben) and para-hydroxybenzoic acid. J Pharmacobio Dyn. 1979;2:356–364.
    1. Kiwada H, Awazu S, Hanano M. The study on the biological fate of paraben at the dose of practical usage in rat. 2. The pharmacokinetic study on the blood-concentration after the administration of ethyl paraben or para-hydroxybenzoic acid. J Pharmacobio Dyn. 1980;3:353–363.
    1. National Toxicology Program. Butylparaben [CAS No. 94-26-8] Final Review of Toxicological Literature. 2004. [accessed 15 December 2009]. Available: .
    1. National Toxicology Program. NTP Concept Document. Butylparaben. 2006. [accessed 15 December 2009]. Available: .
    1. Prusakiewicz JJ, Ackermann C, Voorman R. Comparison of skin esterase activities from different species. Pharm Res. 2006;23:1517–1524.
    1. Sandborgh-Englund G, Adolfsson-Erici M, Odham G, Ekstrand J. Pharmacokinetics of triclosan following oral ingestion in humans. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2006;69:1861–1873.
    1. SCCP (Scientific Committee on Consumer Products) SCCP/0874/05—Extended Opinion on Parabens, Underarm Cosmetics and Breast Cancer, Adopted by the SCCP by Written Procedure on 28 January 2005. Brussels: European Commission; 2005.
    1. SCCP (Scientific Committee on Consumer Products) Scientific Committee on Consumer Products Opinion on: Parabens COLIPA no. P82 Adopted by the SCCP during the 16th Plenary Meeting on 24 June 2008. Brussels: European Commission; 2008.
    1. Silva MJ, Barr DB, Reidy JA, Malek NA, Hodge CC, Caudill SP, et al. Urinary levels of seven phthalate metabolites in the US population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2000. Environ Health Perspect. 2004;112:331–338.
    1. Soni MG, Carabin IG, Burdock GA. Safety assessment of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) Food Chem Toxicol. 2005;43:985–1015.
    1. Taylor JK. Quality Assurance of Chemical Measurements. Chelsea, MI: Lewis Publishers; 1987.
    1. Ye XY, Bishop AM, Reidy JA, Needham LL, Calafat AM. Parabens as urinary biomarkers of exposure in humans. Environ Health Perspect. 2006a;114:1843–1846.
    1. Ye XY, Kuklenyik Z, Bishop AM, Needham LL, Calafat AM. Quantification of the urinary concentrations of parabens in humans by on-line solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2006b;844:53–59.

Source: PubMed

Sponsor e collaboratori

Condizioni mediche

Interventi farmacologici

3
Sottoscrivi