Ultraviolet filter contact and photocontact allergy: consumer exposure and risk assessment for octocrylene from personal care products and sunscreens.

BACKGROUND

Octocrylene (OCT) is an ultraviolet (UV) filter used in personal care products (PCPs) to prevent sun-related skin damage. OCT is photostable and has the ability to photostabilize other UV filters, which has recently led to its increased use in PCPs. Emerging clinical and experimental studies indicate that OCT is both a contact and a photocontact allergen.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify OCT exposure via PCPs, including aggregate exposure that arises from concurrent use of multiple PCP categories, for use in an exposure-based quantitative risk assessment (QRA).

METHODS

Probabilistic modelling of exposure was performed at an individual level simulating 1 day of concurrent and single PCP use. PCP use data obtained via a questionnaire were linked to OCT concentrations gained from chemical analyses of PCPs used by the questionnaire respondents from the German-speaking part of Switzerland (n = 1196; ages ≤ 1-97 years). Acceptable exposure levels (AELs) were calculated for OCT and compared with the computed exposure estimates.

RESULTS

Overall, 19%, 33% and 79% of respondents were exposed to OCT via hand cream, face cream and sunscreen, respectively. Sunscreen was the most prevalent exposure source and largest contributor to aggregate exposure. For the study population, the overall mean and median exposure to OCT via sunscreen alone exceeded the QRA-predicted AEL of 4·9 μg cm(-2).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of OCT in PCPs at levels greater than the threshold for induction of skin sensitization might lead to an increased number of sensitized individuals. It is therefore desirable to perform a new safety assessment of OCT.