Toxic toiletries

Alan S. Kolok, Modern Poisons. A Brief Introduction to Contemporary Toxicology, DOI 10.5822/ 978-l-61091-609-7 16, 2016 Alan S. Kolok. 

Many of the chemicals identified by Kolpin s group fell into the category oipharmaceuticals and personal eare products (PPCPs), a classification that, until recently, was not considered to be toxicologi-cally relevant. The results of this research turned many heads since there was no water-quality criteria for many of these chemicals, the risk associated with their presence in surface waters was unknown. Furthermore, while concentrations were low, the nearly ubiquitous presence of the chemicals in the environment provoked scientists to reconsider their potential toxicity and to take a closer look at their overall life cycle, from production to personal use to ultimate disposal. 

The current use of pharmaceuticals is staggering. More than 4 billion medical prescriptions were dispensed in the United States in 2013, with more than 45 percent of all residents having been prescribed at least one pharmaceutical compound every month. The use of nonprescription pharmaceuticals is equally impressive for example, the annual consumption of aspirin in the United States exceeds 10,000 tons. 

The use of ingredients within personal care products is a bit harder to track, as they are formulated mixtures of compounds, rather than single chemicals, and the exact formulation of a product can be proprietary. As such, the specific chemical composition within a product, and therefore the exposure dose of the chemical to the individual using it, can be difficult to estimate. However, when considered in terms of the number of personal care products used 

The large demand for PPCPs has spawned a rapid development in the chemical industry that supplies them. For pharmaceuticals, the production pathway invariably leads overseas, as over 80 percent of the active pharmaceutical chemicals being consumed in the United States each year, as well as 40 percent of the finished product, are being manufactured internationally. The primary countries that are now in the business of satisfying the US market s pharmaceutical needs are India and China, and their enthusiasm for the task is saddling these countries with significant water pollution issues. 

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Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound. It was originally used in soaps, antiperspirants, and cosmetic toiletries as a germicide. Today, triclosan is incorporated into toothpaste because of its wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities and low toxicity. 

Several CDs applications have been discussed in Chapter 6. Their lack of toxicity forms the basis for their applications in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and food industries as well as in toiletry and cosmetics [lb, lc]. They are also used or have been proposed to be applied, as sensitizers and stabilizers of dyes in photography, for impregnating paper, as fluorescent and other sensors [28], as corrosion inhibitors and rust proofing materials, UV stabilizers and antioxidants. One of the most spectacular is the prospective use of CDs as biodegradable plastics [29]. The complex of nitroglycerine with p-CDmarketed in Japan was mentioned in Chapter 1 while some other CDs applications have been presented in Chapter 6. 

Toiletry and personal care products Surfactants must be biodegradable Low skin and eye irritation Low oral toxicity... 

Toxicology Abstracts. U.S.A. Cambridge Scientific Abstracts. Monthly. ISSN 0140-5365. Each issue contains approximately 800 abstracts covering the toxic effects of pharmaceuticals, food, agrochemicals, cosmetics, toiletries, household products, industrial chemicals, metals, natural substances, poisons, polycyclic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines, and radiation. Toxicological methods and papers concerned with legislation are also included. 

There is very little information in the hter-ature on the toxicity of 2,3-naphthalenediol. Assessment by the CIR expert panel on the safety of this componnd as nsed in cosmetics has been inconclnsive (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association 1987b). 

The toxicity of these alcohols decreases with the increase in their carbon number, n-Hexanol shows very low toxic action in mice. The oral LD50 value in rats is reported as 4200 mg/kg. Ce-Cio alcohols caused eye and skin irritation in rabbits. Cetyl alcohol may cause depression of the central nervous system. Isostearyl (C17-), myristyl (C14-), and behenyl (C22) alcohols are all non toxic substances (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association 1988). 

Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA). 1981. Acute oral toxicity, skin irritation, sensitization, and ocular irritation testing on Arnica Montana extract. Unpublished data. 

Methylcoumarin, a synthetic fragrance in a variety of cosmetics and toiletries, is alleged to be a potent experimental photocontact allergen but does not produce photo toxic reaction (Katoby and Kligman 1978). 

Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits toxic fumes of NOx and SOx Uses Natural flavoring agent for pharmaceuticals colorant for foods, medicines, toiletries mfg. of red and pink lakes... 

Precaution May release formaldehyde Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits toxic vapors of NOx Uses Biocide for household, industrial, institutional prods., latex paints, adhesives, aq. inks, polishes, waxes, pulp and paper, metalworking fluids antimicrobial, preservative for cosmetics, toiletries, topical pharmaceuticals keratin softener in dry skin prods. antiseptic Features Broad-spectrum Regulatory USA CIR approved Europe listed Japan not approved Manuf./Distrib. ISP Sutton Labs ISP http //www.ispcorp.com, Int l. Sourcing Sigma Universal Preserv-A-Chem http //www. upichem. com Trade Name Synonyms German II [ISP Sutton Labs] Integra 22 t[ISP Sutton Labs] ... 

Precaution Combustible Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits toxic fumes of NOx NFPA Health 2, Flammability 1, Reactivity 0 Storage Hygroscopic protect from light Uses Emulsifier for polishes, textile specialties, leather compds., insecticides, cutting oils, aq. paints, topical pharmaceuticals neutralizer for cosmetics and toiletries solvent in desulfurization and off-gas treatment solubilizer, corrosion inhibitor in metalworking fluids defoamer in food-contact paper/paperboard... 

Toxicology LDLo (oral, rat) 8 g/kg mildly toxic by ing. primary skin irritant TSCA listed Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits acrid smoke and irritating vapors Uses Binder, emollient, cosolvent, lubricant, refatting agent, skin softener, moisture retention aid for cosmetics, toiletries, hair care, skin care, sunscreens, soaps, topical pharmaceuticals lubricant for textile processing solubilizer for essential oils and lipophilic act. ingreds. defoamer in food-contact paper/paperboard in food-contact tGxtilos... 

Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits very toxic fumes of SOx and NOx Uses Antimicrobial, mildewcide, biocide for water treatment, paints, plastics, latexes fungicide, wound protectant in fruit trees preservative for fabrics, leather fungicide, preservative for cosmetics, toiletries, skin care Trade Name Synonyms Acticide OTW [Thor UK http //www.thor.com, http //www.thor-chemicals.com], Koralone 500 [Rohm Haas http //www. rohmhaas. com, http //www.acusol.com], Micro-Chek 11 P [Ferro/Polymer Addit. http //www.ferro.com], Skane M-8 [Rohm Haas http //www. rohmhaas. com, http //WWW. acusol. com]... 

All the major solvents used in cosmetics and toiletry formulations are from the most benign group and have low toxicity. Ethanol, the most common solvent in this sector, has a low environmental impact and, in particular, is among the least potent of VOCs in forming tropospheric ozone. 

Ethanol is mainly used in disinfectants for surfaces, instruments and for the skin, e.g. in hand disinfectants. Sometimes ethanol is applied as a preservative, e.g. in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, where odourless and non-irritating preservatives are preferred. On the other side ethanol is the dominant solvent in cosmetics and toiletries, as it disposes of favourable properties such as consistency, purity and low toxicity. 

Classification Amidoamine Ionic Nature Cationic Empirical C HjgNjO Formula CH3(CH2),(,CONH(CH2)3N(CH3)2 Properties Solid m.w. 284.49 m.p, 34,5-38.5 C Toxicology Eye, skin, and resp, tract irritant very toxic by inh. TSCA listed Uses Antistat, substantivity agent in cream rinse conditioners, shampoos emulsifier in cosmetics, toiletries, creams and lotions intermediate for betaine amphot-erics... 

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