1. Sunscreens: UV filters to protect us: Part 2-Increasing awareness of UV filters and their potential toxicities to us and our environment
- Author
-
Nina Sabzevari, Benjamin B. Norton, David P. Fivenson, Sultan H. Qiblawi, Scott A. Norton, and Jason B. Blitz
- Subjects
Human toxicity ,NDA, New drug application ,EPA, Environmental Protection Agency ,UV filter ,Dermatology ,Review ,PPCP, Pharmaceuticals and personal care products ,030207 dermatology & venereal diseases ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,GBRMPA, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority ,Human use ,NanoTiO2, Nanoparticle titanium dioxide ,Nanoparticle toxicity ,Environmental health ,4-MBC, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor ,UVF, Ultraviolet filter ,Medicine ,OMC, Octyl methoxycinnamate or octinoxate ,Europa, European Union Commission for Public Health ,Human toxicity of UV filters ,NHANES, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ,UV, Ultraviolet ,TiO2, Titanium dioxide ,PCPC, Personal care products and cosmetics ,Sunscreen side effects ,business.industry ,GRASE, Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective ,OTC, Over-the-counter ,PABA, Para-aminobenzoic acid ,BP-3, Benzophenone-3 or Oxybenzone ,FDA, Food and Drug Administration ,OC, Octocrylene ,Bioaccumulation ,AAD, American Academy of Dermatology ,WWTP, Wastewater treatment plant ,Environmental studies ,Contact allergy ,Code of Federal Regulations ,RL1-803 ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Coral bleaching ,Aquatic organism toxicity of UV filters ,business ,CDER, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (part of FDA) - Abstract
Background Sunscreens are topical preparations containing one or more compounds that filter, block, reflect, scatter, or absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. Part 2 of this review focuses on the environmental, ecological effects and human toxicities that have been attributed to UV filters. Methods Literature review using NIH databases (eg, PubMed and Medline), FDA and EPA databases, Google Scholar, the Federal Register, and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Limitations This was a retrospective literature review that involved many different types of studies across a variety of species. Comparison between reports is limited by variations in methodology and criteria for toxicity. Conclusions In vivo and in vitro studies on the environmental and biological effects of UV filters show a wide array of unanticipated adverse effects on the environment and exposed organisms. Coral bleaching receives considerable attention from the lay press, but the scientific literature identifies potential toxicities of endocrine, neurologic, neoplastic and developmental pathways. These effects harm a vast array of aquatic and marine biota, while almost no data supports human toxicity at currently used quantities (with the exception of contact allergy). Much of these data are from experimental studies or field observations; more controlled environmental studies and long-term human use data are limited. Several jurisdictions have prohibited specific UV filters, but this does not adequately address the dichotomy of the benefits of photoprotection vs lack of eco-friendly, safe, and FDA-approved alternatives.
- Published
- 2020