BACKGROUND: Preservatives such as formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers (F/FRs) are found in personal care products. Studies from Europe and Israel have indicated that products with undeclared F/FRs on product labels may have detectable levels of formaldehyde. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the presence of formaldehyde in samples of US personal care products. METHODS: Fifty-four baby and adult products were tested with the chromotropic acid method. A blinded investigator graded the color change as mild, moderate, or strong. RESULTS: All 8 products declaring F/FRs resulted in a deep purple color change, indicating a strong reaction. Of the 46 products with undeclared F/FRs, 4 (8.6%) were found to release formaldehyde. All 4 resulted in a light purple color change, indicating a mild reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 4 of 54 products (7.4%) had label information, which did not match chromotropic acid method testing results. Clinicians and formaldehyde-allergic individuals should be aware of the limitations of product ingredient labeling in managing allergic contact dermatitis to formaldehyde.
BACKGROUND: Preservatives such as formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers (F/FRs) are found in personal care products. Studies from Europe and Israel have indicated that products with undeclared F/FRs on product labels may have detectable levels of formaldehyde. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the presence of formaldehyde in samples of US personal care products. METHODS: Fifty-four baby and adult products were tested with the chromotropic acid method. A blinded investigator graded the color change as mild, moderate, or strong. RESULTS: All 8 products declaring F/FRs resulted in a deep purple color change, indicating a strong reaction. Of the 46 products with undeclared F/FRs, 4 (8.6%) were found to release formaldehyde. All 4 resulted in a light purple color change, indicating a mild reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 4 of 54 products (7.4%) had label information, which did not match chromotropic acid method testing results. Clinicians and formaldehyde-allergic individuals should be aware of the limitations of product ingredient labeling in managing allergic contact dermatitis to formaldehyde.
Authors: Yujie Linda Liou; Lindsey M Voller; Walter Liszewski; Marna E Ericson; Paul D Siegel; Erin M Warshaw Journal: Dermatitis Date: 2021 Sep-Oct 01 Impact factor: 4.867
Authors: Rebecca S Kimyon; Lun-Yi Zang; Paul D Siegel; Lindsey M Voller; Jamie P Schlarbaum; Erin M Warshaw Journal: Dermatitis Date: 2021 Jul-Aug 01 Impact factor: 4.867
Authors: Wolfgang Uter; Thomas Werfel; Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin; Ian R White Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-01 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Pamela L Scheinman; Marc Vocanson; Jacob P Thyssen; Jeanne Duus Johansen; Rosemary L Nixon; Kate Dear; Nina C Botto; Johanna Morot; Ari M Goldminz Journal: Nat Rev Dis Primers Date: 2021-05-27 Impact factor: 52.329