Hazard Identification

Parabens in Personal Care

Products and their Link to
Breast Cancer

Parabens (esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid) used as preservative in

personal care items and cosmetics
Most commonly used forms are methyl-, propyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, and
isobutylparaben
Mimics estrogen due to similar chemical structure

Khanna, S., & Darbre, P. D. (2013). Parabens enable suspension growth of MCF-10A immortalized, nontransformed human breast epithelial cells. Journal Of Applied Toxicology, 33(5), 378-382.

Chandni Patel
Hannah Pegarido
Colleen Pool

Phillip W., H., & Philippa, D. (2004). Endocrine disruptors 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. Journal Of Applied Toxicology, 24(3), 167-176.

Barrett Pope

Dose-Response Assessment
Methyl- and propylparaben appear of the FDAs Generally
Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list as of 1972.
The FDA has reached the conclusion that, there is no evidence in
the available information on [methyl- and propylparaben] that
demonstrates, or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect, a
hazard to the public when they are used at levels that are now
current or might reasonably be expected in the future.

Database of Select Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Reviews. (n.d.). Database of Select
Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Reviews. Retrieved July 22, 2014, from
http://www.accessdata.fds.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&displayAll=true
GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Database. (n.d.). GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Database. Retrieved July 22, 2014,
from http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/SCOGS/ucm2006852.htm

Phillip W., H., & Philippa, D. (2004). Endocrine disruptors 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. Journal Of Applied Toxicology, 24(3), 167176.

Dose-Response Assessment

Exposure Assesment

Concentration allowed in product depends on whether a single

paraben or combination of two or more parabens is used
Single paraben < 0.4%
Combination of parabens < 0.8%
Recent recommendation to reduce combined butyl- and
propylparaben amount to < 1.9%

Biomonitoring Summary. (2013, December 4). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 23, 2014,
from http://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Parabens_BiomonitoringSummary.html

Amount of parabens in the

environment
Levels of exposures

Charles, A. K., & Darbre, P. D. (2013). Combinations of parabens at concentrations measured in human breast tissue
can increase proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Journal Of Applied Toxicology, 33(5), 390-398.

Bdzka, D., Gromadziska, J., & Wsowicz, W. (2014). Parabens. From

environmental studies to human health. Environment International, 672742. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2014.02.007
Khanna, S., & Darbre, P. D. (2013). Parabens enable suspension growth of
MCF-10A immortalized, non-transformed human breast epithelial cells.
Journal Of Applied Toxicology, 33(5), 378-382.

Exposure Assesment

Exposure Assessment

Metabolic breakdown of parabens does not occur when entering the body
subcutaneously

4% of butylparaben and 30% of propylparaben entered the bloodstream intact

Groups exposed
Type of exposure
Cumulative effects

Harvey, P. & Everett, D. (2004). Significance of the detection of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) in human breast tumours. Journal Of Applied Toxicology,
24(1), 1-4.

Bdzka, D., Gromadziska, J., & Wsowicz, W.

(2014). Parabens. From environmental studies
to human health. Environment International,
6727-42. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2014.02.007

Risk characterization
Intact paraben esters found in breast tumor tissue
Parabens has been linked between oestrogenic compound
Breast Cancer
Death rates

SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Breast Cancer. (n.d.). Cancer of the Breast. Retrieved July 22, 2014. from
http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/breast.html
Charles, A. K., & Darbre, P. D. (2013). Combinations of parabens at concentrations measured in
human breast tissue can increase proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Journal Of
Applied Toxicology, 33(5), 390
-398.

Risk Characteristics:

Study: Measurement of paraben concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the
breast from axilla to sternum

Barr, L., Metaxas, G., Harbach, C. A. J., Savoy, L. A. and Darbre, P. D. (2012), Measurement of paraben
concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast from axilla to sternum. J. Appl.
Toxicol., 32: 219232. doi: 10.1002/jat.1786

SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Breast Cancer. (n.d.). Cancer of the Breast. Retrieved July 22, 2014. from
http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/breast.html

Risk Management

Additional research needed to determine accumulation and persistence of

parabens in breast tissue

Search for alternatives and test their relative safety (e.g., methylisothiazolinone,
methylchloroisothiazolinone)

Educate the public

Increase transparency of ingredients on product labels

Risk Communication

How can we effectively

communicate this issue to the
public?
Target population
Plan for each group
Need for regular follow-up
communication

Phillip W., H., & Philippa, D. (2004). Endocrine disruptors 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. Journal Of Applied
Toxicology, 24(3), 167-176.