Methylparaben

Agent Name
Methylparaben
CAS Number
99-76-3
Formula
C8-H8-O3
Major Category
Other Uses
Methylparaben formula graphical representation
Synonyms
4-(Methoxycarbonyl)phenol; 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester; Abiol; Aseptoform; Benzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-, methyl ester; Benzoic acid, p-hydroxy-, methyl ester; Maseptol; Metaben; Methaben; Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate; Methyl butex; Methyl chemosept; Methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid; Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate; Methyl p-oxybenzoate; Methyl paraben; Methyl parahydroxybenzoate; Methyl parasept; Methylben; Methylester kyseliny p-hydroxybenzoove [Czech]; Metoxyde; Moldex; Nipagin; Nipagin M; Paridol; Preserval; Preserval M; Septos; Solbrol; Solbrol M; Tegosept M; p-Carbomethoxyphenol; p-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester; p-Methoxycarbonylphenol; p-Oxybenzoesauremethylester [German]; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Preservatives
Description
Colorless or white solid; [HSDB] White odorless powder; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Used as a preservative in foods, cosmetics, and medicines; [HSDB] The parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl) were the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics (0.1% to 0.8%) until their sensitizing potential was recognized; [Marks, p. 115]
Comments
Parabens are an uncommon cause of allergic contact dermatitis; [Marks, p. 115] Food use limited to 0.1%; [Hawley] Observations from animal studies include mild skin and eye irritation and a low order of toxicity in high-dose oral studies; Skin sensitization has been reported from cosmetics and topical medications; A moderate eye irritant (saturated aqueous solution); Practically non-toxic in animal studies: Oral LD50 (mouse) >8000 mg/kg (Effects included flaccid paralysis and ataxia.); [HSDB] An eye and mild skin irritant; May cause skin sensitization; [eChemPortal: ERMA] "Parabens can induce allergic contact dermatitis, mainly in chronic dermatitis and wounded skin." [Kanerva, p. 1822-3] An irritant; [MSDSonline]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Vapor Pressure
0.000237 mm Hg

Adverse Effects

Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: