Substance flow analysis of parabens in Denmark

摘要

Parabens, i.e., the esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, are commonly used preservatives in cosmetics, foods, pharmaceuticals etc., which have received an increased attention during the last decade due to suspected endocrine disrupting effects in fish and mice as well as allergy and carcinogenic effect in humans. The overall objective of this study is to identify and quantify the flows of parabens in the technosphere. Subsequently, the specific aims are as follows: ⅰ) to identify sources to parabens; ⅱ) to perform a substance flow analysis of parabens; and ⅲ) to quantify the storage of parabens in society. Substance flow analysis (SFA) is an analytical tool, based on thermodynamic law of mass conservation, for mapping and understanding of substances flow through a given system in space and time. SFA were in this study based on accounting of import, export, production and consumption statistics; review of measured concentrations; and a questionnaire to selected producers and trade organizations. The annual use of parabens in Denmark has increased over the last five years, based on import and export statistics, though many companies now are substituting parabens in, e.g., personal care products. Today, about 36% of the personal care products contain parabens, 3% of the Pharmaceuticals and 8% of the veterinary medicines. Pet care products, sticky toys, kitchen paper, and other commodities were also found to contain parabens. They are permitted in meat, snacks and candy but none of the contacted Danish food- or snack producers admitted to use it. It was noted that there is a substantial discharge of parabens to wastewater, and although in parallel accumulation in the society and discharge as waste are occurring.