Germany seeks public opinion on two potentially hazardous UV filters found in breast milk

11 Sep 2023 --- Germany is proposing that two benzotriazole UV absorbers are substances of very high concern (SVHC). The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has opened a public consultation on these substances. In the past, these substances have been flagged for their persistence and bioaccumulation, toxicity to aquatic organisms and potential allergic relations. 

The two substances are bumetrizole (UV-326) and 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol (UV-329).

In consumer use, bumetrizole is most commonly found in cosmetics, fragrances, hair care products and washing and cleaning products.

Meanwhile, UV-329 can be identified in skin care products, washing and cleaning products.

Prevalence and health threat
The long-term effects of exposure to bumetrizole and UV-329 are not fully known. However, some studies have shown that these substances may have negative effects on the liver and kidneys.

“Substances that can have very serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment can be identified as SVHC,” warns the ECHA.

“If a substance is identified as an SVHC, it is placed on the candidate list, which contains the substances eligible for inclusion in the list of substances subject to authorization.”

Some studies have flagged that UV-326 and UV-329 have negative effects on the liver and kidneys.SVHC refers to ingredients that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction. They are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic.

Backed by “scientific evidence of probable serious effects to human health or the environment which give rise to an equivalent level of concern,” such substances are identified on a case-by-case basis.

In its public consultation, the ECHA has set a deadline for commenting on October 16, 2023.

Detection in breast milk
Breast milk samples were collected from 87 lactating women in the Children’s Health and Environmental Chemicals in Korea Panel.

This study collected breast milk samples from five Korean university hospitals located in four cities, including Seoul, Pyeongchon, Ansan and Jeju, from February to December in 2011. 

Among the benzotriazole UV absorbers analyzed, UV-329 was dominant in all the samples, with a detection rate of 98%.

Meanwhile, the concentrations of bumetrizole and UV-329 ranged from <5 to 178 and <2 to 53.1 ng/g lipid wt. in human breast milk with detection rates of 8.7 and 9.1%.

Release into the environment
In the case of UV-326, release to the environment can occur during the stage of mixing materials during the formulation of masterbatches.

“Activities include charging and discharging of substances, material transfers, mixing, large scale and small scale packing, sampling, maintenance and associated laboratory activities,” reports the ECHA.

On the other hand, UV-329 potentially releases to the environment when formulating mixtures and materials during the preparation of masterbatches, compounds, additive mixtures and fragranced end products.

Tightening regulatory grip on sunscreen ingredients
Reflecting Germany’s narrowing focus on the safety credentials of UV filters. Earlier this month, the French Ministry for Ecological Transition sought public opinions on its national health agency’s draft Regulatory Management Option Analysis project to determine whether the UV filter octocrylene requires measures regarding possible environmental risks and what they might be.

Regulatory Management Option Analysis project was established to determine if the UV filter octocrylene requires measures regarding possible environmental risks and what they might be.

Alongside these consumer-facing developments are efforts being made to reduce the footprint of sunblocks. Over the summer, Australian manufacturer of Advance ZincTek, released EcoZinc, a non-nano zinc oxide powder for reef-safe SPF-rated cosmetics and sunscreens, just as Korean original design manufacturer Cosmax introduced Capsule Sun, an emulsifier-free sunscreen formula.

By Benjamin Ferrer

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