Presence Of Parabens Research Articles

New type paraben decorated mono- and dispirocyclotriphosphazene compounds: Synthesis, characterization and DNA binding studies

Parabens are a group of chemical preservatives that are widely used in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Although some studies have raised concerns about potential health risks associated with parabens, it is important to note that the presence of parabens in tumor tissue does not provide conclusive evidence that parabens cause cancer. This is an area that requires further research. For this purpose, six new mono- and dispirocyclotriphosphazene compounds decorated with paraben were synthesized and designed for the first time. Their structures were identified by MALDI-TOF MS, 1H, 31P NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. Moreover, the molecular structure of Compound 8 was determined by X-Ray crystallography. The DNA interaction properties of the targeted molecules were investigated via agarose gel electrophoresis.

Quantification of parabens in marine fish samples by a rapid, simple, effective sample preparation method.

Parabens (p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters) commonly used preservatives (in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foods) can pose potential effects on environmental health. In this study, seven parabens were quantified in marine fish samples using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS) system. Parabens in the fish samples were extracted and purified by a rapid, simple, and effective procedure comprising sample homogenization with solvent, solid-phase extraction clean-up, and solvent evaporation. Results demonstrated that the recoveries of seven compounds (with relative standard deviation < 15%) were 88-103% in matrix-spike samples and 86-105% in surrogate standards. The method detection limits and method quantification limits of seven parabens were 0.015-0.030 and 0.045-0.090ng/g-ww (wet weight), respectively. The optimized method was applied to measure the concentration of parabens in the 37 marine fish samples collected from Vietnam coastal waters. The concentration ranges of seven parabens found in round scad and greater lizardfish samples were 6.82-25.3ng/g ww and 6.21-17.2ng/g-ww, respectively. Among parabens, methylparaben accounted for the highest contribution in both fish species (43.2 and 44.9%, respectively). Based on the measured concentrations of parabens in marine fish samples, the estimated daily intake was calculated for children and adults with the corresponding values of 0.0477µg/kg/day and 0.0119µg/kg/day, respectively. However, the presence of parabens in Vietnamese marine fish may not pose a significant risk to human health.

Risk Behind the Glamour: Lipstick and its Health Impacts

Lipstick has been a beloved cosmetic for centuries, enhancing the beauty of women worldwide. Lipstick has long been a symbol of beauty and femininity, but beneath its glamorous facade lies potential health risks that deserve attention. This mini review aims to provide a comphrensive overview of the health impacts associated with lipstick use, shedding light on the potential dangers of certain ingredients and the need for consumer awareness. One of the primary concerns surrounding lipstick is the presence of heavy metals. Studies have shown that many lipsticks contain trace amounts of lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals, which can be absorbed through the skin and potentially harm the body overtime. These metals have been linked to various health issues, including reproductive problems and neurotoxicity. Furthermore, the prolonged use of lipstick can lead to unintentional ingestion of harmful metals, posing additional risks. In addition to heavy metals, certain lipsticks may contain parbens, a type of preservative commonly used in cosmetics. Parabens have been associated with hormonal disruption and have raised concerns about their potential links to breast cancer. While the evidence is not conclusive, the presence of parabens in lipsticks warrants further investigation and caution use. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Many reputable cosmetic brands are taking steps to prioritize safety and offer lipstick options that are free from heavy metals and harmful chemicals. These brands employ rigorous testing and adhere to stricter regulations to ensure the safety of their products. Consumers can make more informed choices by opting for lipstick brands that prioritize safety and transparency in their ingredients lists. In conclusion, while lipstick may enhance our appearance and boost confidence, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential health impacts associated with its use. The presence of heavy metals and potentially harmful ingredients should not be overlooked. By staying informed, choosing safer lipstick options, and advocating for stricter regulations, we can enjoy the glamour of lipstick while minimizing potential health risks and additionally, it provides a comprehensive guide to natural home remedies that can help prevent these side effects. By understanding the potential risks, we can make informed choices about our beauty routines, maintaining healthy, beautiful lips while embracing the love for lipstick.

Validated Spectrophotometric Methods for the Resolution of the Binary Mixture of Silver Sulfadiazine and Sodium Hyaluronate in the Presence of Paraben in Their Dosage Form

Validated Spectrophotometric Methods for the Resolution of the Binary Mixture of Silver Sulfadiazine and Sodium Hyaluronate in the Presence of Paraben in Their Dosage Form

Presence of Parabens in Different Children Biological Matrices and Its Relationship with Body Mass Index.

Parabens have been accepted almost worldwide as preservatives by the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Since epidemiological evidence of the obesogenic activity of parabens is weak, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between parabens exposure and childhood obesity. Four parabens (methylparaben/MetPB, ethylparaben/EthPB, propylparaben/PropPB, and butylparaben/ButPB) were measured in 160 children's bodies between 6 and 12 years of age. Parabens measurements were performed with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors for elevated body weight associated with paraben exposure. No significant relation was detected between children's body weight and the presence of parabens in the samples. This study confirmed the omnipresence of parabens in children's bodies. Our results could be a basis for future research about the effect of parabens on childhood body weight using nails as a biomarker due to the ease of its collection and its non-invasive character.

In vitro reciprocal interactions between yeasts from human cutaneous mycobiota and parabens used in cosmetics.

Parabens are substances with antifungal and antibacterial properties, suspected to be endocrine disruptors and widely used as preservatives in cosmetics. In this case, exposure to these compounds is mainly dermal and interactions may occur with skin components including cutaneous mycobiota. In this work, we have explored the in vitro reciprocal interactions between three parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben) and yeasts from the human cutaneous mycobiota (Candida parapsilosis, Cryptococcus uniguttulatus, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) by studying the effect of these parabens on fungal growth and the fungal ability to metabolize the tested compounds. Our results showed that, at the tested concentrations, the growth of three strains of C. parapsilosis was not influenced by the presence of parabens. Whereas, using the same parabens concentrations, growth of C. uniguttulatus and R. mucilaginosa was completely inhibited by ethylparaben since the first day of contact, whereas these same fungi were not sensitive to the two other parabens, even after seven days of incubation. The presence of a lamellar wall in these basidiomycete fungi as well as the physico-chemical properties of ethylparaben could explain this selective inhibition. Additionally, C. parapsilosis and R. mucilaginosa degraded 90% to 100% of propylparaben after seven days of incubation but had no effect on the other tested parabens. Thus, their enzymes seem to only degrade long chain parabens. In the same conditions, C. uniguttulatus did not degrade any paraben. This inability may be due to the absence of fungal enzymes able to degrade parabens or to the possible inaccessibility of intracellular enzymes due to the polysaccharide capsule. Our work has shown that parabens can act differently from one fungus to another within the cutaneous mycobiota. These preliminary results have evidenced that in vitro parabens, contained in cosmetic products, could be involved in the occurrence of a state of dysbiosis. The tested yeasts from the cutaneous mycobiota can also be involved in the degradation of parabens and thereby reduce, according to the produced metabolites and their activities, the risk of endocrine disruption they can induce.

Presence of parabens in children’s faeces. Optimization and validation of a new analytical method based on the use of ultrasound-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Due to their antimicrobial properties, parabens are a family of synthetic chemical compounds widely used as preservative additives in food and cosmetics. For this reason, humans are highly exposed to them. These substances are capable of altering the proper functioning of the endocrine system and are classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Traditionally, urine has been the typical matrix studied as an excretion route. However, faeces contain valuable information. In the present study, the presence of methyl-, ethyl-, isopropyl-, propyl-, isobutyl-, butyl- and phenylparaben in stool samples from children has been evaluated. A new analytical method has been optimised and validated. The method is based on the use of ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by clean-up of the extracts by dispersive solid phase extraction dSPE). Parabens were analysed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The matrix effect was evaluated and a significant effect was observed for all analytes. Therefore, calibration and validation were performed by addition of different concentrations of analytes to faecal blanks. The coefficient of determination (%R2) for calibration curves was higher than 98.9% in all cases. The limits of detection and quantification were between 0.2 and 0.4 and 0.6–1.0 ng g−1 respectively. The recovery for accuracy assessment had values between 89.0% and 112.7% with an RSD of less than 15% in all cases. The method was successfully applied to 14 samples from children volunteers, 100% of which showed contamination by at least one of the analysed compounds.

Simultaneous HPLC Determination of Arbutin, Niacinamide and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid in Whitening Cream Products in the Presence of Parabens.

Arbutin, niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (a new generation of vitamin C derivatives) are compounds that have a whitening effect on skin and are widely used in whitening cream products wherein parabens such as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben and butyl paraben are also often added as preservatives. This study aims to develop a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method that can be used to determine arbutin, niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid simultaneously in whitening cream products without interference from the parabens. The optimum conditions for the HPLC system were obtained using ODS-3 RP-C18 Inertsil column, mobile phase consisting of a mixture of aquabides, methanol and acetonitrile with gradient elution mode. Detection was carried out using a UV detector at 220nm. Validation studies demonstrated a good linearity for all analytes over each range concentration with a correlation coefficient >0.999 and Vx0 < 2%. The accuracy test also met the requirements with the recoveries being 96.93-99.55%, 98.60-99.73% and 97.88-100.63% for arbutin, niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, respectively. Intra-day and inter-day precision test gave a relative standard deviation (% RSD) of <2% along with a HorRat value of <2 for all analytes. The results of this study indicate that the developed HPLC method has a good selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision. Due to its simplicity, the method can be used to analyze arbutin, niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid in the presence of parabens in whitening cream products simultaneously.

Presence of parabens, phenols and phthalates in paired maternal serum, urine and amniotic fluid

ObjectiveTo examine whether selected endocrine disrupting chemicals were present in pregnant women and passed through the placental barrier to amniotic fluid, potentially exposing the developing fetus. MethodsPaired samples of maternal serum, urine and amniotic fluid were concurrently collected (<1 h) from 200 pregnant women (age >18 years) with a singleton pregnancy and undergoing amniocentesis between gestational weeks 12 – 36. The concentration of six different parabens, seven phenols, 31 metabolites from 15 phthalate diesters and the polychlorinated substance triclocarban were analyzed by isotope diluted TurboFlow-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. ResultsConcentrations of all included compounds were highest in maternal urine followed by serum, and lowest in amniotic fluid. Of the six parabens measured in amniotic fluid, methylparaben (MeP) and ethylparaben (EtP) were detectable most often (87% and 33% of the samples, respectively). Of the seven phenols measured, three (2,4-dichlorphenol, 2,5-dichlorphenol, 2-propylphenol) were detectable in the range of 14–21% of the amniotic fluid samples, at low concentrations (<0.12 ng/ml). Two secondary phthalates metabolites, mono-(2-carboxymethyl-hexyl) phthalate and mono-carboxy-iso-octyl phthalate were each present in ≤15% of the amniotic fluid samples at concentrations 2–5 times lower than in maternal serum and 20–100 times lower than in maternal urine. A modest statistically significant correlation between the levels of MeP and EtP was detected in paired maternal urine-amniotic fluid samples was detected (Spearman rMeP: 0.246; rEtP: 0.364). Likewise, the concentration of mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) in paired maternal urine and amniotic fluid samples indicated a modest statistically significant correlation (Spearman rMEP: 0.264), driven by detectable levels of MEP in only 3% of the amniotic fluid samples. ConclusionsIn general, the included parabens, phenols and phthalates were effectively metabolized and excreted via the urine, which was the matrix that reflected the highest detectable levels. The detectable levels of several included parabens and phthalates in human amniotic fluid calls for further investigations of the toxicokinetic and potential endocrine disrupting properties of individual and multiple endocrine disruptors in order to better assess the risk to the developing fetus.

Estimation of parabens and bisphenols in maternal products and urinary concentrations in Indian pregnant women: daily intake and health risk assessment.

The presence of parabens and bisphenols in maternal products and usage during pregnancy have raised serious concern about their possible harm to pregnant women. The concentrations of six parabens and eight bisphenols were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the samples of commercially available herbal-based ayurvedic maternal products and urine of healthy pregnant women from Assam, India. Methyl paraben (MP) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) were found to be more dominant in the maternal products, whereas MP, bisphenol A (BPA), and BPAF were dominant in urine samples of healthy pregnant women. The sum of the mean concentrations of all forms of parabens and bisphenols in maternal products were 48,308.50ng/g and 542.42ng/g, respectively, and urine 101.33ng/mL and 23.42ng/mL, respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of total parabens and bisphenols in maternal products were 7378.02 and 19.78ng/kg body weight/day, respectively. EDI of total parabens and bisphenols from urinary concentrations were 690.12 and 111.33μg/kg body weight/day, respectively. The concentrations ofbutyl (BP) and heptyl (HP) parabenshave a significant positive correlation with birth weight. The hazard quotient (HQ) value of MP, EP, and BPA was less than 1, and margin of exposure (MOE) identified potential risk associated with propyl paraben. Results from Monte-Carlo risk assessment analysis did not exceed the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Our results showed that higher concentrations of parabens and bisphenols are present in maternal products and the urine of healthy pregnant women. Hence maternal products containing bisphenols and parabens should be used cautiously during pregnancy to avoid maternal and fetal complications.

Biomonitoring parabens in dogs using fur sample analysis – Preliminary studies

Parabens are widely used in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry and are widespread in the environment. As endocrine disruptors, parabens have adverse effects on living organisms. However, knowledge of the exposure of domestic animals to parabens is extremely scarce.Therefore, this study assessed the exposure level of dogs to three parabens commonly used in industry (i.e. methylparaben - MeP, ethylparaben - EtP and propylparaben - PrP) using fur sample analysis in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The presence of parabens has been noted in the samples collected from all dogs included in the study (n = 30). Mean concentrations of MeP, EtP and PrP in the fur of dogs were 176 (relative standard deviation – RSD = 127.48%) ng/g dry weight (dw), 48.4 (RSD = 163.64%) ng/g dw and 79.8 ng/g dw (RSD = 151.89%), respectively. The highest concentrations were found for MeP (up to 1023 ng/g dw). Concentrations of MeP and EtP in males were statistically higher than those in females (p < 0.05). Statistically significantly higher concentration levels of PrP in young animals (up to three years old) were also found.This is the first study concerning the use of fur samples to evaluate the exposure of domestic animals to parabens. The results indicate that an analysis of the fur may be a useful tool of paraben biomonitoring in dogs. The presence of parabens in the canine fur also suggests that these substances may play a role in veterinary toxicology. However, many aspects connected with this issue are not clear and require further study.

Parabens and bisphenol A and its structural analogues in over-the-counter medicines from China.

Pharmaceuticals, such as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, may be an important source of human exposure to several endocrine disruptors, though unnoticed to date. In the present study, we investigated the presence of six parabens and nine bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues in OTC medicines manufactured in China. Parabens and bisphenols were present in more than 90% of the samples. The total measured concentrations of parabens and bisphenols were in the range of non-detectable (ND) to 213 ng/g and ND to 415 ng/g, respectively. Regarding parabens, methyl paraben (MeP) was the predominant analog, accounting for 43 ± 36% of the total amount, followed by ethyl paraben (EtP) (39 ± 35%), and others (< 10%). Bisphenol F and BPA were the predominant bisphenols, accounting for 24 ± 28% and 22 ± 26% of the total amount, respectively. The median values of estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of parabens and bisphenols were the highest for infants (2.96 and 3.14 ng/kg_bw/day, respectively) and the lowest for adults (0.69 and 0.25 ng/kg_bw/day, respectively); moreover, the EDIs of parabens and bisphenols were higher in Chinese patent medicines than in western pediatric medicines. The hazard quotient (HQ) for sum of MeP and EtP (∑(MeP + EtP)) and BPA in three age groups were within the safe zone (HQ < 0.0004). Monte Carlo simulation was applied to predict the human exposure risk of parabens and bisphenols. The predicted ranges of EDIs of parabens and bisphenols were much wider, and the extreme predicted values were observed in all four age groups, which were higher than the acceptable daily intake. The extreme predicted values of ∑(MeP + EtP) and BPA were indicative ofcarcinogenic risk in toddlers. These results implied potential risks for the Chinese people existed. Considering the huge export of Chinese traditional medicines and western medicines worldwide, and easy access to OTC medicines for the general population, the presence of parabens, bisphenols, and other environmental contaminants in medicines still need to be monitored.

Paraben Compounds—Part I: An Overview of Their Characteristics, Detection, and Impacts

Parabens are widely used in different industries as preservatives and antimicrobial compounds. The evolution of analytical techniques allowed the detection of these compounds in different sources at µg/L and ng/L. Until today, parabens were already found in water sources, air, soil and even in human tissues. The impact of parabens in humans, animals and in ecosystems are a matter of discussion within the scientific community, but it is proven that parabens can act as endocrine disruptors, and some reports suggest that they are carcinogenic compounds. The presence of parabens in ecosystems is mainly related to wastewater discharges. This work gives an overview about the paraben problem, starting with their characteristics and applications. Moreover, the dangers related to their usage were addressed through the evaluation of toxicological studies over different species as well as of humans. Considering this, paraben detection in different water sources, wastewater treatment plants, humans and animals was analyzed based on literature results. A review of European legislation regarding parabens was also performed, presenting some considerations for the use of parabens.

An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Methyl Paraben Recognition and Detection

Esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, known as parabens, are used as antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The presence of parabens in human body mostly originates from the topical implementation of personal care products. The adverse health effects of parabens include endocrine disruption, oxidative DNA damage, contact dermatitis, and allergenic reactions. In this study, surfaces of pencil graphite electrodes were modified by electropolymerization of p-phenylenediamine conducting polymer imprinted with methyl paraben (MP) to develop a sensor for MP detection. Electrochemical deposition was performed by cyclic voltammetry in a potential range of 0.0–0.8 V at a scan rate of 25 mV/s in 10 cycles. Polymer growth and template leach conditions were systematically investigated for determining optimal settings in developing the sensor. Under optimal working conditions, the differential pulse voltammetric current response of MP oxidation was linear in the range of 10–50000 µM (R2 = 0.9682) with a detection limit of 10 µM (S/N ratio of 10). The molecularly imprinted polymer modified electrode showed an excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards MP compared to its structural analogues. The developed sensor was successfully applied to the detection of methyl paraben in four samples of pharmaceuticals and a personal care product.

Recent methods used in degradation of parabens in aqueous solutions: a review

Parabens are widely used as preservatives in pharmaceutical and personal care products, but are regarded as endocrine disruptor compounds. The presence of parabens has potential effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This has led to the development of various methods for the removal of these recalcitrant compounds. This study presents an overview of the literature on methodologies for the degradation of parabens. The review is limited to details of using ultraviolet, sensitisers, ozonation, photoelectrocatalysis, sonochemistry, semiconductors and biodegradation for the degradation of parabens. Different catalysts in the degradation of these pollutants and their properties, as well as degradation mechanisms, are also discussed. Finally, recommendations and future perspectives on this field are proposed.

Presence of Parabens and Bisphenols in Food Commonly Consumed in Spain.

Given the widespread use of bisphenols and parabens in consumer products, the assessment of their intake is crucial and represents the first step towards the assessment of the potential risks that these compounds may pose to human health. In the present study, a total of 98 samples of food items commonly consumed by the Spanish population were collected from different national supermarkets and grocery stores for the determination of parabens and bisphenols. Our analysis demonstrated that 56 of the 98 food samples contained detectable levels of parabens with limits of quantification (LOQ) between 0.4 and 0.9 ng g−1. The total concentration of parabens (sum of four parabens: ∑parabens) ranged from below the LOQ to 281.7 ng g−1, with a mean value of 73.86 ng g−1. A total of 52% of the samples showed detectable concentrations of bisphenols. Bisphenol A (BPA) was the most frequently detected bisphenol in the food samples analysed, followed by bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol E (BPE). Bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol B (BPB) and bisphenol P (BPP) were not found in any of the analysed samples. LOQ for these bisphenols were between 0.4 and 4.0 ng g−1.

Parabens in aerobic granular sludge systems: Impacts on granulation and insights into removal mechanisms

This work assessed the impact of methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben (200 μg L−1 each) on the granulation process as well as on the organic matter and nutrient removal of an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system (6-h cycle). Additionally, some insights into the main paraben removal mechanisms were provided. In the presence of parabens, aerobic granules with good settleability, but with fragile and irregular structure, were grown. No significant effect of parabens on organic matter (>90%) and nitrogen (~70%) removal was evidenced. On the other hand, phosphorus removal was slightly impaired, although high removal efficiencies (~70%) were reached. High paraben removal efficiencies were achieved (>85%) in the AGS system, with methylparaben being the most recalcitrant compound. Concerning the removal mechanisms, biotransformation was the main mechanism in the removal of all parabens (85.5% for methylparaben and 100% for the others), whereas, apparently, adsorption played a role only in the removal of methylparaben. In addition, this compound was also suggested as a probable intermediate of the degradation of the larger alkyl-chain parabens. Lastly, regarding the microbial community, with the exception of Mycobacterium, the reactors shared the same genera, which may explain their comparable operational performances. Additionally, some genera that developed more in the presence of parabens may be related to their degradation. Therefore, although antimicrobial agents such as parabens compromised the granule structure, AGS system maintained a good operational performance and showed to be very efficient in paraben removal.

Parabens induced spherical micelle to polymersome transition in thermo-responsive amphiphilic linear and star-shaped EO-PO block copolymers

Micellar transition induced employing pharmaceutically-active antioxidants specifically p-hydroxy benzoic acid esters (parabens) viz., methyl paraben (MP), ethyl paraben (EP), propyl paraben (PP), butyl paraben (BP), and benzyl paraben (BzP) in ~5% w/v thermoresponsive triblock linear: Pluronic® (P84) and star-shaped: Tetronic® (T1304) copolymers was investigated in aqueous solution. The solution behavior of these block copolymers in presence of parabens is well scrutinized from cloud point (CP), relative viscosity (ηrel), spectral (FT-IR, UV–vis), computational simulation, and scattering (dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS)) study. Varied phase behavior and a dramatic change in ηrel with temperature ageing is attributed to the plausible induced micellar transition (spherical micelle to polymersomes) is accounted to the hydrophobic effect of parabens onto the block copolymers which is depicted from spectral study and further rationalized using computational simulation approach. The prominent shifts observed in the hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) of parabens loaded and unloaded copolymeric micelles was inferred from DLS while fitted SANS findings clearly depicted the micellar dimensions along with the aggregation number (Nagg). Furthermore, the performed antioxidant (free radical scavenging and reducing capacity) assay in non-micellar and micellar media trait the ability to shuttle between the reduced and oxidized forms that prevents the oxidative damage which makes this study biologically important.

Parabens in breast milk and possible sources of exposure among lactating women in Korea

Parabens, broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservatives widely used in various consumer products and food, are suspected to be linked with several adverse health effects in humans, especially newborn babies, infants, and young children. While human exposure to parabens has been frequently reported by measuring the concentration of parabens in urine, similar measurements in breast milk have rarely been made. To determine paraben concentrations in breast milk and possible sources of exposure, four major parabens, including methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PP), and butylparaben (BP) were measured in breast milk samples collected from 260 lactating women in South Korea. Demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors associated with the presence of parabens in breast milk were determined. EP concentrations were detected at the highest levels in breast milk samples, followed by MP, PP, and BP. Pre-pregnancy BMI, parity, use of basic skin care products, use of cosmetics, canned beverage, and type of milk consumption were associated with higher frequencies of paraben detection. In addition, type of milk, parity, and drinking status were significantly associated with the concentration of EP. Multiple regression analyses showed that colostrum and transitional milk samples had higher levels of EP than mature milk samples. The estimated daily intake of parabens in infants via breastfeeding appears to be negligible when compared to the acceptable daily intake values set forth by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA); however, considering the vulnerability of breastfed infants and ubiquitous sources of exposure from daily use of household and personal toiletries, efforts to identify sources and mitigate exposure are warranted.

Routine analytical method for monitoring the main metabolites for a recurrent group of parabens and pharmaceuticals in wastewater and tap water.

The presence of parabens and pharmaceuticals on the aquatic environment has been widely evaluated in the last years. Nevertheless, there is scarce information about the occurrence of their metabolites and/or degradation products in spite of the fact that they can be more toxic or more concentrated than their parent compounds. One of the main drawbacks for their monitoring is the lack of simple and reliable analytical methods for their routine determination. In this work, an analytical method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous extraction and determination of the main metabolites of the pharmaceuticals diclofenac, ibuprofen, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine and caffeine and of the parabens methylparaben and propylparaben and their parent compounds in wastewater and tap water samples. Sample extraction was carried out by conventional solid-phase extraction with OASIS HLB cartridges. Analytical determination was carried out by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. Average accuracy was in the range from 66 to 120% in wastewater and from 86 to 120% in tap water. Precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, was lower than 17% for all the compounds. Method quantification limits were in the range from 1.0 to 33ngL-1 in wastewater and from 0.5 to 28ngL-1 in tap water. The method was applied to wastewater and tap water samples. None of the target compounds was detected in tap water whereas all of them were detected in wastewater. Concentrations of the metabolites were similar or higher than those of the parent compounds. Graphical abstract.