Monitoring levels of preservative sensitivity in Europe. A 10-year overview (1991-2000).
A 10-year multicentre analysis of the frequency of sensitivity to common preservatives collected in 16 centres in 11 countries has shown stable but persisting high levels of sensitivity to formaldehyde and 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one + 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MCI/MI). It has also revealed a significant increase in the level of reactivity to methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN) from 0.7% in 1991 to 3.5% in 2000. The current high level of sensitivity to MDBGN requires an urgent safety re-evaluation and risk assessment update along with consideration of immediate lowering of use concentrations, especially in leave-on products.
Wilkinson
J D
JD
Department of Dermatology, Amersham Hospital, Bucks, UK.
Shaw
S
S
Andersen
K E
KE
Brandao
F M
FM
Bruynzeel
D P
DP
Bruze
M
M
Camarasa
J M G
JM
Diepgen
T L
TL
Ducombs
G
G
Frosch
P J
PJ
Goossens
A
A
Lachappelle
J-M
JM
Lahti
A
A
Menné
T
T
Seidenari
S
S
Tosti
A
A
Wahlberg
J E
JE
D000485:Allergens; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009570:Nitriles / Q000009:adverse effects; D010328:Patch Tests; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects
D000485:Allergens; D009570:Nitriles; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D013844:Thiazoles; D005557:Formaldehyde; C011506:2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; C011421:5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; C039411:1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane