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Grouping of esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid for hazard assessment

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Abstract

Hazardous properties of a large number of esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) have been proposed by ECHA to be assessed as a group. We recommend to restrict the grouping approach to short chain esters, i.e. methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl paraben which are very similar in chemical structures, physicochemical properties, toxicokinetics, and hazardous properties. While these parabens show a weak estrogenicity in some in vitro or in vivo screening assays, they do not induce estrogen-receptor-mediated adverse effects in intact animals. Therefore, there is no support regarding classification and labeling of endocrine disruption or reproductive toxicity of these parabens.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Cosmetics Europe. The authors were compensated for their time spent on manuscript preparation based on their usual consulting fees.

Funding

This study was funded by CosmeticsEurope.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CiS Toxicology, Osorno, Chile

    Thomas Colnot

  2. Department of Toxicology, Institut Für Toxikologie, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Strasse 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany

    Wolfgang Dekant

  3. Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Helmut Greim

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  1. Thomas Colnot
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  2. Wolfgang Dekant
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  3. Helmut Greim
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Correspondence to Wolfgang Dekant.

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Colnot, T., Dekant, W. & Greim, H. Grouping of esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid for hazard assessment. Arch Toxicol 98, 571–575 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-023-03641-x

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