General Information
This is a class of chemicals that are normally used in various forms as preservatives by industries such as cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. They are classified as chemicals which are found in forms of butyl-ethyl methyl and prpylparabenthe primary reason as to why this chemical basically salts are used is because of their bactericidal and fungicidal attribute (Russell, & Gould, 2003).Occasionally Parabens are found in toothpastes, shaving gels, makeup, personal lubricants and many other products. Consequently these salts are also used as food additives. The use of paraben has been sound due to their cost effectiveness and history of long use. However the use of parabens is becoming increasingly controversial since they have been found to raise some health concerns. Parabens has been linked to being a causal agent for breast cancer prior to mimicking the hormone estrogen which has a role in development of breast cancer (TartéI, 2003)
Uses of parabens
Basically parabens are used a preservatives of cosmetics food and also as tropical corticosteroids. These chemicals are used as cosmetic preservatives in order to protect customers from harm o deteriorated goods and also protect the integrity of products. Parabens re used to minimize the risk of microorganisms growth in cosmetic products (Metcalfe, 2011). Conversely parabens especially methyl and propylparben are used as food preservatives .they play a very vital role and protecting consumers from yeast and mold that may develop during the period of distribution. They main reason why parabens have been used as food preservatives is their solubility in high temperature water and therefore can easily be mixed into the food preparation (Routlege,1998). Parabens have been identifies to have seven key ingredients which makes them recommendable for utilization as tropical troricoteroids where they re applied directly onto the skin. The creams and lotions have been known to manage and treat inflammatory reactions on the skin such as eczema (Byford JR2003).
Toxicity
Toxicity of parabens has been influenced by the fact this chemical alter hormone functioning in the body. For instance these chemicals mimic hormone estrogen and other primary female sex hormones. Consequently parabens disrupt the male reproductive system (Acton, 2011 Consequently application of methyl parabens on the skin leads to increased aging of the skin and DNA damage .in some cases the products cause irritability on the skin , contact dermatitis and roscoe. The chemical also stimulate the occurrence of breast cancer.(Seth,2008).Parabens have also been attributed to causation organ system toxicity, interference of the reproductive system and infertility, growth, development and birth effects
Related products
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate is a broad spectrum preservative made from glycene and used as food supplement and stomach antacids.USIP,2005). It safeguards against mould yeast and bacteria. Another parabens related products are natural preservatives. This include essential oils and vitamins which less harmful than parabens. The natural preservatives act as effective antibacterial and include vitamin E, tea tree oil, and grape seed (Seymour, 2000) .Other related products include organic acids that are made up of naturally organic acids and salts. Acids are powerful agents against molds, bacteria and yeast.
Public health significant
Overall concerns about parabens are about the severe effect to endocrine disruptions the products cause to consumers. Products that contain parabens have been deemed harmful to the health of individual by elevating the health related risks. Consequently disposal of products made of parabens pose risks of environmental pollution an imbalance of the eco-system. Therefore not only do parabens present health related risks to consumers alone but generally to the larger perspective of the public.
Reference
Seymour S. (2000).BlockDisinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USIP)(2005).Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005
Seth (2008).Textbook Of Pharmacology. Elsevier: India.
Institute of Medicine(2012). Committee on Breast Cancer and the Environment: The Scientific Evidence, Research Methodology, and Future Directions, Breast Cancer and the Environment: A Life Course Approach. National Academies Press. Washington, D.C.
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Acton,Q A.(2011).Issues in Environment, Health, and Pollution: 2011 Edition . Atlanta:scholarly Editions
Byford JR (2003)Oestrogenic activity of parabens in MCF7 human breast cancer cells.The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [2002, 80(1):49-60]
Metcalfe , D.D.(2011).Food Allergy: Adverse Reactions to Foods and Food Additives. New Jersy: John Wiley & Sons
Routlege,G. J.(1998).Some Alkyl Hydroxy Benzoate Preservatives (Parabens) Are Estrogenic. Journal of Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Volume 153, Issue 1, November 1998, Pages 12–19
Russell, N. J. & Gould,G.W.(2003). Food preservatives. Califonis:springer
TartéI, R.(2003) Ingredients in Meat Products: Properties, Functionality and Applications. Califonia: Springer.
