Dermal absorption and disposition of musk ambrette, musk ketone and musk xylene in rats

In vitro determination of transdermal permeation of synthetic musks and estimated dermal uptake through usage of personal care products

Synthetic musks, chemical constituents of personal care products, enter the human body through dermal contact. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying transdermal permeation of synthetic musks should enhance our understanding of their uptake and distribution in human skin and allow accurate evaluation of associated human exposure. Here, the transdermal permeation dynamics and distribution of galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) were investigated using an in vitro skin diffusion model. The transdermal permeation amounts of HHCB and AHTN increased rapidly during the first 6 h. The applied HHCB and AHTN amounts did not affect percutaneous absorption rates. HHCB and AHTN remained primarily in the stratum corneum, accounting for 70.0% and 70.3% of the totals during the 24-h period, respectively. The percutaneous absorption rate of both chemicals was ∼11%. HHCB, AHTN, musk ketone, musk xylene, and Musk-T were detected in 29 personal care products. The average total concentrations of the musks were 3990, 54.0, 17.7, and 9.8 μg g^-1 in perfume, shampoo, lotion, and shower gel, respectively. Among the four product categories, HHCB was dominant (57.4%-99.6%), followed by AHTN. The data clearly indicate that polycyclic and nitro musks are most commonly used in personal care products. The total estimated dermal intake (51.6 μg kg^-1_bw day^-1) was markedly higher than total dermal uptake (5.9 μg kg^-1_bw day^-1) when percutaneous absorption rates of the chemicals were added into the calculation. Uptake of HHCB and AHTN via dermal contact of personal care products was significantly higher than that from dust inhalation calculated according to earlier literature data.

Concentrations and assessment of exposure to siloxanes and synthetic musks in personal care products from China

We investigated the concentrations and profiles of 15 siloxanes (four cyclic siloxanes, D(4)-D(7); 11 linear siloxanes, L(4)-L(14)), four synthetic musks (two polycyclic musks, HHCB and AHTN; two nitro musks, MX and MK), and HHCB-lactone, in 158 personal care products marketed in China. Siloxanes were detected in 88% of the samples analyzed, at concentrations as high as 52.6 mg g(-1); Linear siloxanes were the predominant compounds. Among synthetic musks, more than 80% of the samples contained at least one of these compounds, and their total concentrations were as high as 1.02 mg g(-1). HHCB was the predominant musk in all of the samples analyzed, on average, accounting for 52% of the total musk concentrations. Based on the median concentrations of siloxanes and musks and the average daily usage amounts of consumer products, dermal exposure rates in adults were calculated to be 3.69 and 3.38 mg d(-1) for siloxanes and musks, respectively.

Transgenerational exposures: persistent chemical pollutants in the environment and breast milk

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are anthropogenic chemicals that are poorly biodegradable and have the potential for adverse human health effects. Although national regulations and an international treaty have resulted in the gradual decline of many POPs in human blood and breast milk, the levels of other POPs continue to rise. Children and developing fetuses are sensitive to health effects from these substances. This article reviews the health risks posed by the POPs that have been largely banned or regulated and the potential for health effects from a variety of other chemicals in widespread use today.

Anwendung von Duftstoffen

Fragrances are increasingly used in private and public domains. Over recent years the olfactory sense has been paid more and more scientific and economic attention. While on the one hand bad smells are counteracted by fragrances, marketing experts are now trying to introduce this sense into multimedia-based experiences. Technical means are used to address positively and directly the sense of smell. The aim is to make the smell a unique feature for a certain brand or location. When it comes to "style of living" or "special shopping experience" nowadays the olfactory design plays an important role. Although fragrances are applied very frequently, there is still a lack of knowledge about the potential consequences for health and the environment. Certain substances (musk compounds) have been proven persistent and accumulative, and others belong to the most common causes of contact eczema. Some people also report special sensitivities towards certain smells for unknown reasons. Unlike audiovisual attractions it is very difficult for humans to avoid olfactory stimuli. The question arises whether fragrance materials constitute a group of substances that should receive more attention concerning their risk for health and the environment.

The safety assessment of fragrance materials

Safety evaluation of the large number of diverse chemicals used as fragrance ingredients follows a systematic prioritization of data generation and analysis, consideration of exposure and critical analysis of the quality of the available information. In prior publications the research priorities used by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), and the methods of exposure estimation used by industry have been summarized. This paper provides details of the approach used by the RIFM Expert Panel (REXPAN), to examine the dermal effects, systemic toxicity and environmental consequences of the use of and exposure to fragrance materials, which allow a reliable determination of safe use under intended conditions. The key to the usefulness of this analysis is the grouping of more than 2600 discrete ingredients into classes, based on chemical structures. Research sponsored by RIFM, data supplied by member companies, and relevant published reports from many sources are all considered during hazard characterization. A discussion is provided of REXPAN's decision tree approach to assessing the dermal, systemic and environmental endpoints and the types and quality of data included. This overall process results in well-documented conclusions which are provided to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) as the basis for consideration of a new or existing Fragrance Material Standard and to industry for appropriate product risk management actions.

Dermal absorption and disposition of musk ambrette, musk ketone and musk xylene in human subjects

Musk ambrette, musk ketone and musk xylene have a long history of use as fragrance ingredients, although musk ambrette is no longer used in fragrances. As part of the review of the safety of these uses, it is important to consider the systemic exposure that results from these uses. Since the primary route of exposure to fragrances is on the skin, dermal doses of carbon-14 labelled musk ambrette, musk ketone and musk xylene were applied to the backs (100 cm2) of healthy human volunteers (two to three subjects) at a nominal dose level of 10-20 microg/cm2 and excess material removed at 6 h. Means of 2.0% musk ambrette, 0.5% musk ketone and 0.3% musk xylene were absorbed based on the amounts excreted in urine and faeces during 5 days. Most of the material was excreted in the urine with less than 10% of the amount excreted being found in faeces. No radioactivity was detected in any plasma sample, consistent with low absorption, and no radioactivity was detected (<0.02% dose) in skin strips taken at 120 h. Analysis of urine samples indicated that all three compounds were excreted mainly as single glucuronide conjugates. The aglycones were chromatographically different, but of similar polarity, to the major rat metabolites excreted in bile also as glucuronides.

Nitromusk compounds in women with gynecological and endocrine dysfunction

Musk xylene (MX), musk ketone (MK), musk ambrette, musk moskene, and musk tibetene are synthetic fragrances. Between 1994 and 1996 these five nitromusk compounds (NMCs) were tested in the blood of 152 women who consulted the Endocrinological Department of the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heidelberg, Germany, because of gynecological problems. The testing was conducted by gas chromotography with mass-specific detector and mass spectrometry in a retrospective cross-sectional study. MX was detected in 95% and MK in 85% of the blood samples (>20 ng per liter whole blood). The median concentration of MX was 65.5 ng/L and the maximum level of MX was 1183 ng/L; the corresponding values for MK were respectively 55.5 and 518 ng/L. The other three NMCs were found in only a few patients or not at all. Significant associations between MX and MK concentrations were found in blood and different clinical parameters of the endocrine system. MX and MK may act centrally as a disrupter of the (supra-) hypothalamic-ovarian axis, which may result in a mild ovarian insufficiency. On the basis of our data, a reproductive toxicity and an endocrine effect of NMCs in women cannot be ruled out. Further experimental and clinical studies should be conducted.