Butyl Paraben; Butylparaben

(in 7,736 products)

Banned by Gov or classified as a carcinogen by IARC

1. Flavor / Flavoring / Flavor Enhancer - Provides or enhances a particular taste or smell.

2. Preservative - Prevents and inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms which may be harmful

"Butyl Paraben is in the paraben family of preservatives used by the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care product industries. It is highly effective in preventing the growth of fungi and bacteria and can be used to preserve products and greatly extend their shelf life. This product appears as a white crystalline powder." [1] This substance should not be confused with Isobutylparaben, which has been prohibited by the European Commission for use in cosmetic products.

Has proven to have high retention rates in the human body and in marine animals, which may lead to eventual toxicity. Can be detected in human breast tissue with breast cancer since it is able to "act like a very weak estrogen in the body" (http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/cosmetics).

1. PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7184

2. Paraben esters: review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks. (J Appl Toxicol. 2008 Jul;28(5):561-78. DOI: 10.1002/jat.1358.)

3. Measurement of paraben concentrations in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast from axilla to sternum. (J Appl Toxicol. 2012 Mar;32(3):219-32. DOI: 10.1002/jat.1786. Epub 2012 Jan 12.)

4. Methylparaben stimulates tumor initiating cells in ER+ breast cancer models. (J Appl Toxicol. 2017 Apr;37(4):417-425. DOI: 10.1002/jat.3374. Epub 2016 Sep 1.)

5. Elevated Accumulation of Parabens and their Metabolites in Marine Mammals from the United States Coastal Waters (Environ. Sci. Technol., 2015, 49 (20), pp 12071–12079 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b03601)

6. Final amended report on the safety assessment of Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben,

7. Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, and Benzylparaben as used in cosmetic products (Int J Toxicol. 2008;27 Suppl 4:1-82. DOI: 10.1080/10915810802548359)

1. South Korea - Ministry of Food and Drug Safety - Prohibited/Restricted Chemicals

- Ref: 541, 1173, 1245

2. Palau Sunscreen Ban (Senate Bill No. 10-135, SD1, HD1), https://www.icriforum.org/the-republic-of-palau-bans-sunscreen-chemicals-to-protect-its-coral-reefs-and-unesco-world-heritage-site/ - Butyl paraben

3. EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

- https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_132.pdf

4. Japan’s List of Designated Food Additives under Article 10 of the Food Sanitation Act

- Butyl p-Hydroxybenzoate

5. EU CosIng Annex V, PRESERVATIVES ALLOWED IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS [2017]

- Ref: V/12

6. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Annex VI, Allowed Preservatives

- Salts of benzoic acid other than that listed under reference number 1 and esters of benzoic acid, Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salts, Butylparaben, sodium butylparaben, potassium butylparaben