Can glutathione-containing emollients inactivate methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone?

Abstract

Many persons are exposed to preservatives/biocides based on methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI), since toiletries and cosmetics, as well as products/water-based systems used occupationally, may all contain MCI/MI. In toiletries and cosmetics, the MCI/MI concentration is often below 15 ppm (0.0015%). In some industries, workers handle high concentrations of MCI/MI, which can cause chemical burns and induce sensitization if skin is exposed. Contact allergy to MCI/MI is common and reports on chemical burns have been published. Thus, there is a need for prevention of skin diseases caused by MCI/MI. The inactivation of MCI/MI by glutathione (GSH) in emollients, containing different amounts of lipids, was studied by HPLC. Various amounts of GSH were added to Fenuril, Essex, and Locobase, giving 3 preparations of each emollient containing 0.10%, 0.50% and 2.0% GSH, respectively. The inactivation of 15 ppm MCI/MI and the total inactivating capacity of GSH in these preparations, kept at room temperature and refrigerated, was studied over a period of 6 months. The inactivating capacity of GSH in the emollients was almost equivalent, regardless of the lipid contents of the emollients, type of storage and age. On the other hand, the GSH concentration in the emollients had a crucial importance on the inactivation of MCI/MI. Emollients containing 2% GSH were capable of inactivating up to 2400 ppm MCI/MI.