Kelly A Aschenbeck1, Erin M Warshaw. 1. From the *University of Minnesota School of Medicine; †Department of Dermatology, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center; ‡HCMC Parkside Occupational and Contact Dermatitis Clinic; and §Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Wet wipes are a significant allergen source for anogenital allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to calculate the frequency of potentially allergenic ingredients in personal hygiene wet wipes. METHODS: Ingredient lists from brand name and generic personal hygiene wet wipes from 4 large retailers were compiled. RESULTS: In the 54 personal hygiene wet wipes evaluated, a total of 132 ingredients were identified (average of 11.9 ingredients per wipe). The most common ingredients were Aloe barbadensis (77.8%), citric acid (77.8%), fragrance (72.2%), sorbic acid derivatives (63.0%), tocopherol derivatives (63.0%), glycerin (59.3%), phenoxyethanol (55.6%), disodium cocoamphodiacetate (53.7%), disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (42.6%), propylene glycol (42.6%), iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (40.7%), chamomile extracts (38.9%), sodium benzoate (35.2%), bronopol (22.2%), sodium citrate (22.2%), lanolin derivatives (20.4%), parabens (20.4%), polyethylene glycol derivatives (18.5%), disodium phosphate (16.7%), dimethylol dimethyl hydantoin (DMDM) (14.8%), and cocamidopropyl propylene glycol (PG)-dimonium chloride phosphate (11.1%). Of note, methylisothiazolinone (5.6%) was uncommon; methylchloroisothiazolinone was not identified in the personal hygiene wet wipes examined. CONCLUSIONS: There are many potential allergens in personal hygiene wet wipes, especially fragrance and preservatives.
BACKGROUND: Wet wipes are a significant allergen source for anogenital allergic contact dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to calculate the frequency of potentially allergenic ingredients in personal hygiene wet wipes. METHODS: Ingredient lists from brand name and generic personal hygiene wet wipes from 4 large retailers were compiled. RESULTS: In the 54 personal hygiene wet wipes evaluated, a total of 132 ingredients were identified (average of 11.9 ingredients per wipe). The most common ingredients were Aloe barbadensis (77.8%), citric acid (77.8%), fragrance (72.2%), sorbic acid derivatives (63.0%), tocopherol derivatives (63.0%), glycerin (59.3%), phenoxyethanol (55.6%), disodium cocoamphodiacetate (53.7%), disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (42.6%), propylene glycol (42.6%), iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (40.7%), chamomile extracts (38.9%), sodium benzoate (35.2%), bronopol (22.2%), sodium citrate (22.2%), lanolin derivatives (20.4%), parabens (20.4%), polyethylene glycol derivatives (18.5%), disodium phosphate (16.7%), dimethylol dimethyl hydantoin (DMDM) (14.8%), and cocamidopropyl propylene glycol (PG)-dimonium chloride phosphate (11.1%). Of note, methylisothiazolinone (5.6%) was uncommon; methylchloroisothiazolinone was not identified in the personal hygiene wet wipes examined. CONCLUSIONS: There are many potential allergens in personal hygiene wet wipes, especially fragrance and preservatives.
Authors: Jessica L Levasseur; Stephanie C Hammel; Kate Hoffman; Allison L Phillips; Sharon Zhang; Xiaoyun Ye; Antonia M Calafat; Thomas F Webster; Heather M Stapleton Journal: Environ Int Date: 2020-12-17 Impact factor: 9.621