FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1 August 2008

CONTACT: Julie Hayworth-Perman
919-653-2583

Findings from First Nationally Representative Study of BP-3 Released

Report in Environmental Health Perspectives suggests widespread human exposure to chemical common in sunscreen and cosmetics

[RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC] Researchers investigating the biological and environmental effects of benzophenone-3 (BP-3), an agent used in personal care products to absorb and dissipate ultraviolet (UV) radiation, detected higher levels of the agent in urine samples of specific U.S. population groups. The findings, reported in a study published in the July 2008 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), support the hypothesis that "the widespread inclusion of sunscreen agents in personal care and consumer products increases the potential for human exposure to BP-3 through skin absorption," the authors write.

In addition to its function as a sunscreen agent, BP-3 has other uses in consumer products as a fragrance and flavor enhancer, photoinitiator, and UV curing agent and polymerization inhibitor. Although human exposure to BP-3 has not been associated with adverse health effects, results of a National Toxicology Program animal study showed alterations in liver, kidney and reproductive organs in rats and mice administered BP-3 dermally and orally. These findings, coupled with the increased detection of synthetic substances in the aquatic environment as a result of steady and widespread use of sunscreen and other personal care products, have raised interest about assessing human exposure to BP-3. The current study presents the first nationally representative data on the urinary concentrations of BP-3 in the U.S. general population older than 6 years of age.

Researchers analyzed 2,517 randomly selected urine samples collected as part of the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES), conducted continuously by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population. Exposure to BP-3 was prevalent in the general U.S. population during 2003-2004, with BP-3 detected in 96.8 percent of the samples.

"The data we used from the NHANES can be used to establish a nationally representative baseline assessment of exposure," said Antonia Calafat, lead study author. "Moreover, the data could aid risk assessments for BP-3 exposure if future toxicologic or epidemiologic studies suggest the need, and may encourage further research to determine the potential public health impact of exposure at the levels reported."

A composite racial/ethnic variable based on self-reported data defined three major groups in the current study: non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Mexican American. Researchers found BP-3 concentrations were significantly higher for non-Hispanic whites than for non-Hispanic blacks, and significantly higher for females than for males, regardless of age. Differences by sex and race/ethnicity probably reflect differences in personal care products containing BP-3. The high level of detection likely resulted from routine use of personal care products such as sunscreen, moisturizer, lipstick and hairspray. In some cases, as much as 10 percent of the dose can be absorbed into the skin.

"The widespread use of sunscreens and other personal care products containing BP-3, which is also an FDA-approved indirect food additive, make these findings a timely and topical discussion. I hope these results encourage additional research and investigation into the potential health hazards of ingredients in everyday products," said EHP editor-in-chief Hugh A. Tilson, PhD.

The lead author of the study was Antonia M. Calafat of the Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other authors included Lee-Yang Wong, Xiaoyun Ye, John A. Reidy and Larry L. Needham. The article is available free of charge at http://www.ehponline.org/members/2008/11269/11269.html.

EHP is published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. EHP is an Open Access journal. More information is available online at http://www.ehponline.org/. Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing handles marketing and public relations for the publication, and is responsible for creation and distribution of this press release.

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