Methylparaben

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

0.000237 mm Hg

Yes

Other CNS neurotoxin

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic