title: Methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone are widely used in paint: a multicentre study of paints from five European countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In view of the current epidemic of contact allergy to methylisothiazolinone (MI), it is important to clarify the extent of use of MI and related isothiazolinones in paints currently available for the consumer and worker in Europe.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the use and concentrations of MI, methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and benzisothiazolinone (BIT) in paints on the European retail market.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wall paints (n = 71) were randomly purchased in retail outlets in five European countries. The paints were quantitatively analysed for their contents of MI, MCI and BIT by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MI was found in 93.0% (n = 66) of the paints, with concentrations ranging from 0.7 to 180.9 ppm, MCI in 23.9% (n = 17), ranging from 0.26 to 11.4 ppm, and BIT in 95.8% (n = 68), ranging from 0.1 to 462.5 ppm. High concentrations of MI were found in paints from all five countries. Paints purchased in Denmark and Sweden contained especially high concentrations of BIT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of MI across European countries is extensive. In view of the ongoing epidemic of MI contact allergy, an evaluation of the safety of MI in paints is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Gentofte University Hospital, 2820, Ledrebrog Allé 40, Gentofte, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jakob F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Schwensen
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Lundov
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bossi
authors.forename: Piu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giménez-Arnau
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lepoittevin
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lidén
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
authors.forename: Kerem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yazar
authors.forename: Ian R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Jeanne D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
mesh_terms: D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D010150:Paint / Q000032:analysis*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D013844:Thiazoles; C011506:2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; C011421:5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; C015699:1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one
keywords: benzisothiazolinone; environmental label; methylchloroisothiazolinone; methylisothiazolinone; paint; safety data sheet