The association between use of sunscreens and cosmetics and urinary concentrations of the UV filter ethylhexyl-methoxy cinnamate: a pilot biomonitoring study
Journal
Biomonitoring
Date Issued
November 2014
DOI
10.2478/bimo-2014-0009
Abstract
Ethylhexyl-methoxy cinnamate (EHMC), an
ultraviolet (UV) filter that absorbs solar UVB radiation
is frequently used in the formulation of sunscreens and
cosmetics. Except for the controlled UV filter application
studies, no general population studies on the magnitude
and variability of exposures to EHMC exist. Given the
widespread use of UV filters in consumer products, a
pilot human biomonitoring study was undertaken to: i)
determine the concentrations of EHMC in urine samples of
young adults, and ii) investigate the association between
consumption patterns of selected consumer products and
urinary EHMC concentrations. A group of 48 randomlyselected
volunteers provided a first morning urine void
and a questionnaire on the types and usage patterns of
sunscreens and cosmetics was administered to them.
Significantly (p=0.006) higher urinary EHMC levels were
observed in females, and in users of face sunscreens
(p=0.008) and lipsticks (p=0.003). Linear multiple
regression analysis showed that the frequency of use of
face sunscreens (all year) (p=0.02) and gender (females)
(p=0.03) were significant predictors of creatinine-adjusted
urinary EHMC levels in the pooled sample, even after
adjusting for relevant covariates, such as age, body-mass
index and the number of cosmetics used. A larger sample
could help us further evaluate the observed trends.
ultraviolet (UV) filter that absorbs solar UVB radiation
is frequently used in the formulation of sunscreens and
cosmetics. Except for the controlled UV filter application
studies, no general population studies on the magnitude
and variability of exposures to EHMC exist. Given the
widespread use of UV filters in consumer products, a
pilot human biomonitoring study was undertaken to: i)
determine the concentrations of EHMC in urine samples of
young adults, and ii) investigate the association between
consumption patterns of selected consumer products and
urinary EHMC concentrations. A group of 48 randomlyselected
volunteers provided a first morning urine void
and a questionnaire on the types and usage patterns of
sunscreens and cosmetics was administered to them.
Significantly (p=0.006) higher urinary EHMC levels were
observed in females, and in users of face sunscreens
(p=0.008) and lipsticks (p=0.003). Linear multiple
regression analysis showed that the frequency of use of
face sunscreens (all year) (p=0.02) and gender (females)
(p=0.03) were significant predictors of creatinine-adjusted
urinary EHMC levels in the pooled sample, even after
adjusting for relevant covariates, such as age, body-mass
index and the number of cosmetics used. A larger sample
could help us further evaluate the observed trends.