Multi-mechanistic adsorption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on oxidized microplastics: Oxidation processes, mechanisms, and environmental implications

Assessment of chemical constituents of personal care products (PCPs) and their environmental implications: A case of South Africa

Skin sensitisation quantitative risk assessment (QRA) based on aggregate dermal exposure to methylisothiazolinone in personal care and household cleaning products

Traditionally, use of household and personal care products has been collected through questionnaires, which is very time consuming, a burden on participants, and prone to recall bias. As part of the SUPERB Project (Study of Use of Products and Exposure-Related Behaviors), a novel platform was developed using bar codes to quickly and reliably determine what household and personal care products people have in their homes and determine the amount used over a 1-week period. We evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of our methodology in a longitudinal field study that included 47 California households, 30 with young children and 17 with an older adult. Acceptability was defined by refusal rates; feasibility was evaluated in terms of readable bar codes, useful product information in our database for all readable barcodes, and ability to find containers at both the start and end of the week. We found 63% of personal care products and 87% of the household care products had readable barcodes with 47% and 41% having sufficient data for product identification, respectively and secondly, the amount used could be determined most of the time. We present distributions for amount used by product category and compare inter- and intra-person variability. In summary, our method appears to be appropriate, acceptable, and useful for gathering information related to potential exposures stemming from the use of personal and household care products. A very low drop-out rate suggests that this methodology can be useful in longitudinal studies of exposure to household and personal care products.

Like many specialty chemicals used in pharmaceutical, personal care, and cosmetic products, few life cycle inventory data are available to describe the synthesis of isostearic acids (IAs). We investigate the cradle-to-gate life cycle environmental and economic performances of IA production from soybean oil and tall oil, both renewable resources, using chemical process simulation models that integrated experimental measurement and data from patent literature. Multiple life cycle impact assessment metrics were estimated where the difference in the climate change impact was most significant for the soybean oil process (1.9–3.8 kg of CO2 equivalent/kg of IA) compared to the tall oil process (1–1.5 kg of CO2 equivalent/kg of IA); however, results for both are low on a life cycle basis compared to synthetic lubricants. Considering the value added from coproducts, the unit production cost for the soybean oil pathway was lower than that of tall oil but its profit and return on investment were also lower. Despite these differences, soybean oil remains a promising feedstock for expanding “green” IA production. Examining hot spots along the soybean oil to IA life cycle, we identify strategies for environmental and economic improvements at the product conversion and recovery stages. We discuss the challenges of predicting the environmental performance of specialty chemicals and new conversion processes and conclude that detailed process modeling like that performed herein is in many cases necessary for capturing environmental trade-offs.

Background: Many personal care products, and particularly cosmetic products, contain preservatives that release formaldehyde. These are potentially harmful to consumer health, especially considering that the levels of formaldehyde in some products are hidden and excessive. Objectives: To study the formaldehyde levels of preservatives in personal care products and cosmetics on the UAE market and determine the extent of compliance with health and safety requirements. Methods and Materials: Sixty-nine personal care and cosmetic product samples from the UAE market were collected and prepared to determine their formaldehyde content. According to the Second European Commission Directive 82/434/EEC of 2000 and as per the Gulf Technical Regulation, Safety Requirements of Cosmetics and Personal Care Products in GSO 1943:2016, quantitative analyses were performed to identify and quantify the content of formaldehyde as free formaldehyde. Results: With a maximum permissible limit of ≤0.2% w/w, the average formaldehyde content was found to be 0.083 with a 95% CI (0.039–0.13). Nine of the tested personal care and cosmetic products exceeded the recommended formaldehyde level, corresponding to 13% of all samples. None of these samples listed the free formaldehyde content or formaldehyde releaser. Conclusion: Applying good manufacturing practices (GMP), education, and regulatory control to improve the regulation and inspection of cosmetics containing formaldehyde releasers as preservatives, conducting research, and reporting the adverse side effects are highly recommended. There is an urgent need to monitor the incidence of skin sensitivity resulting from the use of cosmetics containing formaldehyde releasers as preservatives.

Titanium dioxide is a common additive in many food, personal care, and other consumer products used by people, which after use can enter the sewage system and, subsequently, enter the environment as treated effluent discharged to surface waters or biosolids applied to agricultural land, incinerated wastes, or landfill solids. This study quantifies the amount of titanium in common food products, derives estimates of human exposure to dietary (nano-) TiO(2), and discusses the impact of the nanoscale fraction of TiO(2) entering the environment. The foods with the highest content of TiO(2) included candies, sweets, and chewing gums. Among personal care products, toothpastes and select sunscreens contained 1% to >10% titanium by weight. While some other crèmes contained titanium, despite being colored white, most shampoos, deodorants, and shaving creams contained the lowest levels of titanium (<0.01 μg/mg). For several high-consumption pharmaceuticals, the titanium content ranged from below the instrument detection limit (0.0001 μg Ti/mg) to a high of 0.014 μg Ti/mg. Electron microscopy and stability testing of food-grade TiO(2) (E171) suggests that approximately 36% of the particles are less than 100 nm in at least one dimension and that it readily disperses in water as fairly stable colloids. However, filtration of water solubilized consumer products and personal care products indicated that less than 5% of the titanium was able to pass through 0.45 or 0.7 μm pores. Two white paints contained 110 μg Ti/mg while three sealants (i.e., prime coat paint) contained less titanium (25 to 40 μg Ti/mg). This research showed that, while many white-colored products contained titanium, it was not a prerequisite. Although several of these product classes contained low amounts of titanium, their widespread use and disposal down the drain and eventually to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) deserves attention. A Monte Carlo human exposure analysis to TiO(2) through foods identified children as having the highest exposures because TiO(2) content of sweets is higher than other food products and that a typical exposure for a US adult may be on the order of 1 mg Ti per kilogram body weight per day. Thus, because of the millions of tons of titanium-based white pigment used annually, testing should focus on food-grade TiO(2) (E171) rather than that adopted in many environmental health and safety tests (i.e., P25), which is used in much lower amounts in products less likely to enter the environment (e.g., catalyst supports, photocatalytic coatings).

Emerging studies suggest that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in personal care and other consumer products are linked with various adverse health effects, including respiratory and reproductive effects. Despite Black persons using more personal care products than other demographic groups and having a high asthma burden, little is known regarding their consumer product use patterns and associated EDC exposures. To examine the association between recent exposure to select EDCs with specific consumer products and behaviors in a cohort of 110 predominantly Black children with asthma, ages 8-17 years, living in Baltimore City, Maryland. We quantified concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F, two dichlorophenols, four parabens, triclosan, benzophenone-3, and triclocarban in spot urine samples. Questionnaires were used to capture recent (last 24-h) consumer product use and behaviors. Associations between EDCs and consumer product uses/behaviors were assessed using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and caregiver income level. Effect estimates were expressed as geometric mean ratios of biomarker concentrations of product-users vs non-users. Increased concentrations to select EDCs were associated with recent use of air freshener (ratios; BPA: 1.9, 95%CI 1.4-2; BPS 1.7, 95%CI 1-2.97; propyl paraben: 3.0, 95%CI 1.6-5.6), scented candles (methyl paraben: 2.6, 95%CI 1.1-6.1), and scented carpet powder (2,5-dichlorophenol: 2.8, 95%CI 1.2-6.3). Additionally, consuming canned food was associated with some increased biomarker concentrations (ratios: BPA: 1.7, 95%CI 1.2-2.4; BPS: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.6). These findings add to the body of evidence suggesting that recent use of select consumer products in Black children contributes to exposure of chemicals of concern and could potentially inform exposure mitigation interventions. Findings have broad potential health implications for pediatric populations and Black children who may face exposure and health disparities. Little is known about how children's personal care product use and consumer behaviors affect their exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This is particularly true for Black children who often experience a disparate exposure burden to many EDCs. This is a significant knowledge gap among children that are uniquely vulnerable to EDCs as they undergo critical windows of growth and development. Our findings show associations between consumer products and EDC exposures in predominantly Black children in low-income settings. Identifying EDC exposure determinants has broad health implications as many of these chemicals have been associated with adverse health risks.

Use-patterns of personal care and household cleaning products in Switzerland

Polymers are routinely used in many personal care and cosmetic products. The applications take advantage of the various properties of these polymers to impart unique benefits to their formulations. The range of properties is as varied as the class of polymers that have been utilized. Using polymers, cosmetic chemists can create high performance products. Broad spectrums of polymers; natural polymers, synthetic polymers, organic polymers as well as silicones are used in a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products as film-formers, emulsifiers, thickeners, modifiers, protective barriers, and as aesthetic enhancers. This book is based on an international symposium on “Polymers for Cosmetics and Personal Care” held at the 244th National ACS Meeting in Philadelphia on August 22, 2012. The aim of this book is to cover the many facets of polymers used in cosmetics and personal care products and to bring together researchers from industries and academic disciplines from different countries. This overview chapter provides a brief description of each chapter presented in this book and is meant to provide the reader with an insight to the exciting developments described throughout.

Polyacrylate crosspolymer-11 enhances soil clay dispersibility: An indication for inadvertent environmental impacts from personal care and cosmetic ingredients

Novel database for exposure to fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products

This study examined product use among pregnant women and new mothers in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic (July 2020–June 2021). Women reported use of personal care and household cleaning products within the previous month, changes in antibacterial product use, receipt of healthcare provider advice, and opinions on environmental chemicals (n = 320). On average, women used 15 personal care products and 7 household cleaning products. Non-Hispanic Black women used nearly two more personal care products; non-Hispanic Black women, those with a college degree, and essential workers used 1–3 more household cleaning products. Women who were Hispanic or reported their race and ethnicity as Other were two times more likely to use antibacterial personal care products. Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and women who reported their race and ethnicity as Other were 1.5 times more likely to increase antibacterial product use during the pandemic. Nearly all women agreed that environmental chemicals pose health risks and are impossible to avoid, while less than one quarter received advice regarding product use. Product use is a modifiable source of chemical exposures. Results from this study suggest that women may have increased their product use during the pandemic. Healthcare providers may use the current focus on health hygiene to promote discussion and assessment of environmental chemical exposures with patients.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are categorized as contaminants of concerns. It mainly includes regularly used personal care and cosmetic products and medicines. PPCPs have been widely detected in different water matrices. PPCPs being adversely affecting the ecological system and human health and therefore are of great concerns. Presence of PPCPs in effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants, behaviour and biological impact have become a topical concern and important issues of water quality. PPCPs are considered as potent endocrine disruptors (EDCs). Their bioactive metabolites find its way into the aquatic environment in the form of complex combinations through a number of ways but mostly by both untreated and treated sewage.The work was done to understand the fate of PPCPs during the conventional treatment. Four class of PPCPs, viz.; phenols, anti-microbial, oestrogen, and stimulants were targeted. One compound from each class, i.e. 4-n-Nonylphenol, Triclosan, 17β-estradiol, and Caffeine was selected for method standardization in GC-MS. The samples from inlet and outlet of STP were analysed for the selected compounds. Sufficient concentration of three compounds, viz.; 4-n-Nonylphenol, Triclosan, and 17β-estradiol were detected in inlet samples. Also considerable concentration of these compounds was found in outlet samples. Although much work have been done to find out different treatment methods for the deletion of PPCPs from wastewater and receiving waters. However in Indian scenario, the treatment system is designed for the conventional process which is not effective in the removal of these PPCPs. This is clearly revealed in the results of study that PPCPs are highly concentrated in the inlets of STPs and their removal needs to be look-in during treatment process.KeywordsPharmaceuticalsPersonal care productsToxicityTreatment process

Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) used in personal care products (PCPs) are preferred in a wide range of fields thanks to their solubility, viscosity properties, and low toxicity levels which were detected on mammals nearly 60 years ago. This study was aimed to determine the effect of acute toxicity of personal care products and PEGs which are used particularly in personal care and pharmaceutical products on aquatic ecosystems. In this scope, this study was determined the individual acute toxicities of PEGs; the acute toxicity of baby shampoo and body lotion which are among personal care products containing PEGs; and the possible acute toxicity of these products when they reach the surface waters. Daphnia sp. Acute Immobilisation Test was used to determine the toxic effect on aquatic organisms. The acute toxicity class of PEGs was identified as non-toxic (Class 0). While the body lotion was highly toxic (Class 5) at the end of the 48-hour exposure time without being applied to any surface water, it was non-toxic (Class 0) for all stations when applied to surface water. While the baby shampoo was practically non-toxic (Class 1) at the end of the 48-hour exposure time without being applied to any surface water, it was slightly toxic (Class 2) for station 1 and station 2 when applied to surface water. When PCPs including these liquid plastics, which are found to have non-toxicity characteristics, it is obvious that different toxic effects can emerge apart from the individual toxicity on surface waters.

Are in-utero or peripubertal exposures to phthalates, parabens and other phenols found in personal care products associated with timing of pubertal onset in boys and girls? We found some associations of altered pubertal timing in girls, but little evidence in boys. Certain chemicals in personal care and consumer products, including low molecular weight phthalates, parabens and phenols, or their precursors, are associated with altered pubertal timing in animal studies. Data were from the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) longitudinal cohort study which followed 338 children in the Salinas Valley, California, from before birth to adolescence. Pregnant women were enrolled in 1999-2000. Mothers were mostly Latina, living below the federal poverty threshold and without a high school diploma. We measured concentrations of three phthalate metabolites (monoethyl phthalate [MEP], mono-n-butyl phthalate and mono-isobutyl phthalate), methyl and propyl paraben and four other phenols (triclosan, benzophenone-3 and 2,4- and 2,5-dichlorophenol) in urine collected from mothers during pregnancy and from children at age 9. Pubertal timing was assessed among 179 girls and 159 boys every 9 months between ages 9 and 13 using clinical Tanner staging. Accelerated failure time models were used to obtain mean shifts of pubertal timing associated with concentrations of prenatal and peripubertal biomarkers. In girls, we observed earlier onset of pubic hair development with prenatal urinary MEP concentrations and earlier menarche with prenatal triclosan and 2,4-dichlorophenol concentrations. Regarding peripubertal biomarkers, we observed: earlier breast development, pubic hair development and menarche with methyl paraben; earlier menarche with propyl paraben; and later pubic hair development with 2,5-dichlorophenol. In boys, we observed no associations with prenatal urinary biomarker concentrations and only one association with peripubertal concentrations: earlier genital development with propyl paraben. These chemicals are quickly metabolized and one to two urinary measurements per developmental point may not accurately reflect usual exposure. Associations of peripubertal measurements with parabens may reflect reverse causality: children going through puberty early may be more likely to use personal care products. The study population was limited to Latino children of low socioeconomic status living in a farmworker community and may not be widely generalizable. This study contributes to a growing literature that suggests that exposure to certain endocrine disrupting chemicals may impact timing of puberty in children. This study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. N/A.