P Elsner1, S Schliemann2. 1. Klinik für Hautkrankheiten, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Erfurter Str. 35, 07743, Jena, Deutschland. elsner@derma-jena.de. 2. Klinik für Hautkrankheiten, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Erfurter Str. 35, 07743, Jena, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cosmetic products are subject to the European Cosmetics Regulation: They shall not harm human health when used under "normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions". Hazardous cosmetic products are reported by the EU Member States to the EU Commission and are listed in the database of the European Rapid Alert System RAPEX. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The reports from Germany on dangerous cosmetic products from the years 2005-3/2017 in the European RAPEX database were systematically analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 157 dangerous cosmetic products were reported from Germany. The most common product categories were bleaching creams (24.2%) because of the content of hydroquinone, mercury or corticosteroids, creams/lotions/gels (10.8%) mainly due to microbiological contamination, henna products (10.2%) because of sensitizing concentrations of paraphenylene diamine, and nail adhesives (8.9%) because of high levels of methyl methacrylate. CONCLUSIONS: Hazardous cosmetic products appear to be rare in view of the high market volume of cosmetics, even though the total number of official investigations the RAPEX reports based on is not known. Dermatologists should inform the competent monitoring authorities in case of a suspected harm to health caused by dangerous cosmetic products so that the products can be examined and, if necessary, withdrawn from the market.
BACKGROUND: Cosmetic products are subject to the European Cosmetics Regulation: They shall not harm human health when used under "normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions". Hazardous cosmetic products are reported by the EU Member States to the EU Commission and are listed in the database of the European Rapid Alert System RAPEX. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The reports from Germany on dangerous cosmetic products from the years 2005-3/2017 in the European RAPEX database were systematically analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, 157 dangerous cosmetic products were reported from Germany. The most common product categories were bleaching creams (24.2%) because of the content of hydroquinone, mercury or corticosteroids, creams/lotions/gels (10.8%) mainly due to microbiological contamination, henna products (10.2%) because of sensitizing concentrations of paraphenylene diamine, and nail adhesives (8.9%) because of high levels of methyl methacrylate. CONCLUSIONS: Hazardous cosmetic products appear to be rare in view of the high market volume of cosmetics, even though the total number of official investigations the RAPEX reports based on is not known. Dermatologists should inform the competent monitoring authorities in case of a suspected harm to health caused by dangerous cosmetic products so that the products can be examined and, if necessary, withdrawn from the market.
Authors: B Desmedt; E Van Hoeck; V Rogiers; P Courselle; J O De Beer; K De Paepe; E Deconinck Journal: J Pharm Biomed Anal Date: 2013-11-28 Impact factor: 3.935
Authors: A Cristaudo; S D'Ilio; B Gallinella; A Mosca; C Majorani; N Violante; O Senofonte; A Morrone; F Petrucci Journal: Dermatology Date: 2013-06-04 Impact factor: 5.366
Authors: Claudia P Peregrino; Myriam V Moreno; Silvia V Miranda; Alma D Rubio; Luz O Leal Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2011-06-23 Impact factor: 3.390