Can sunscreen cause female endocrine disorders? How to deal with it? 3-benzylidene camphor is a camphor derivative, which is widely used in sunscreen and other cosmetics. However, it will affect the immune system and brain function, cause endocrine disorders, and then affect the role of reproductive and immune systems, and even cause cancer.
On September 7, 2011, the French health product safety agency (Afssaps) announced an emergency ban on the use of 3-benzylidene camphor (3-bc) in cosmetics because it has the risk of potentially interfering with the human endocrine system.
Where is the sunscreen with 3-bc hidden?
3-benzylidene camphor belongs to camphor derivatives. It is an absorbent with high stability to ultraviolet light. It is widely used in sunscreen and other cosmetics. Among camphor derivatives, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-mbc), 3-benzylidene camphor (3-bc), benzylidene camphor sulfonic acid, etc.
Previously, the use limit of 3-bc approved by the EU was 2% (now banned in some countries), while the use limit of Benzylidene camphor sulfonic acid was 6%.
In China and other parts of Asia, camphor derivatives are also widely added to cosmetics as sunscreen ingredients. In China, the use limits of the above three compounds are 4%, 2% and 6% respectively. The use limits in Taiwan and the mainland are the same. Sunscreen containing these ingredients is managed according to cosmetics containing medical or toxic drugs (editor's note: Taiwan's original text).
However, in the United States, sunscreen belongs to over the counter (OTC). The safety and effectiveness of its ingredients need to be approved by the food and Drug Administration (FDA), but FDA has not approved any camphor derivatives.
Be careful, there is a crisis in sunscreen!
In 2008, the NGO international chemical Secretariat (chemsec) published the list of chemicals to be replaced for the first time, namely 'substitute it now!'. The list is jointly selected by chemsec and internationally renowned scientists to list compounds with potential harmful effects on human body in order to avoid the use of these compounds. In May this year, chemsec added 22 environmental hormones common in daily necessities to the list, including 4-mbc and 3-bc.
3-bc, one of the environmental hormones, will affect the immune system and brain function. After entering the body, it can simulate the role of natural hormones, deceive the body and cause endocrine disorders, and then affect the role of reproductive and immune systems, and even cause cancer. Especially infants, if exposed to sex hormones in the early stage of development, they will permanently change their brain morphology and affect the development of sexual behavior and sexual psychology. It is worth mentioning that the plasticizer that caused an uproar is one of the environmental hormones.
In animal experiments, male rats exposed to this compound in fetal period will have symptoms such as delayed estrus, estrous cycle disorder, weight loss and so on. 4-mbc and 3-bc decreased the flirting behavior of adult female rats and increased the refusal behavior of male rats. In addition, 3-bc also significantly disrupted the estrous cycle of female rats.
The potential danger of environmental hormones makes the world take action
The resolution issued by the French health product safety agency said that in view of the serious harm that cosmetics containing 3-bc may cause to human health, the use of this substance in cosmetic products should be prohibited. Manufacturers, importers, market suppliers and distributors of these products must take measures to stop product sales as soon as possible and take back the unsold products.
Chemsec has always supported governments to control the use of endocrine disrupting substances by implementing restriction laws.
According to the latest news released by chemsec on September 20, chemsec is promoting the sin list in China because China is becoming the world's cosmetics production giant and the world's attention to the safety of Chinese products is increasing. The event will be held in Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong to publicize the hazards of potentially toxic compounds, especially those that may interfere with the endocrine system, through cooperation with governments, public welfare institutions, multinational corporations and state-owned enterprises.
Be careful of the hidden crisis in sunscreen. It's important to pay attention to sunscreen and good health!