Chloromethylisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) have been widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, householdproducts and industrial products since the late 1970s. First cases of contact allergy to the MCI/MI combination were notedin 1980–1982 in Sweden. Then, a significant increase in the frequency of sensitization to these compounds was observed in manyEuropean centers. The increase has been stopped by the introduction of legislation on their maximum concentrations in consumerand industrial products in Europe and in some non-European countries. But approval of the use of MI alone without limits in industrialproducts (from 2000) and at a maximum concentration of 100 ppm in cosmetics (from 2005) resulted in an unprecedentedincrease in the number of individuals sensitized to this compound. Allergic contact dermatitis due to MI occurs in both adults andchildren. It is often manifested by severe symptoms, which may be also induced by airborne exposure. The most important sourcesof sensitization include cosmetic products and paints. To counteract the increasing problem of contact allergy epidemic to MI, therecommendations have been developed, suggesting the ban on the use of MI in “leave-on” cosmetics and maximum concentrationof 15 ppm in “rinse-off” products. These recommendations are likely to be implemented in 2014. Med Pr 2014;65(4):543–554
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