Parabens Detected in Plastic Teething Toys
Parabens are commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products to protect against microbial growth, but a new study suggests that manufacturers may also be using parabens in plastic teething products designed for infants. Scientists applied an effect-directed approach (to determine endocrine disrupting ability) to analyze teething products prior to chemical analysis using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Of 10 products were tested, two were found to contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
Photo Credit: RUTH JENKINSON/SPL/Getty Images
Parabens are commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products to protect against microbial growth, but a new study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology suggests that manufacturers may also be using parabens in plastic teething products designed for infants.1 Scientists applied an effect-directed approach (to determine endocrine disrupting ability) to analyze teething products prior to chemical analysis using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Of 10 products were tested, two were found to contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
EDCs are natural or synthetic compounds that disrupt the normal functioning of the human endocrine system, often imitating natural hormones, and are recognized as a contributing factor to a range of diseases. In light of this, the use of phthalates in toys is restricted in the European Union to reduce childhood exposure. However, there is a huge variety of possible EDCs used in plastics, meaning that exposure is likely to be underestimated because analysis focuses on common culprits such as Bisphenol A and phthalates. Corresponding author Martin Wagner from Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany, told The Column: “Our research is about the EDCs we do not know yet: Instead of analyzing well known compounds, we use in vitro bioassays to screen all types of samples for hormonal activity and try to identify the causative chemicals using non-target chemical analysis afterwards (effect-directed analysis).” He added: “In that sense, our research demonstrates that there are far more EDCs out there (which we currently overlook) and that they come from unexpected sources (who would have suspected a plastic to contain parabens).”
Samples were taken from 10 plastic and one natural rubber teething soothers purchased in Germany in 2012. Methanol extracts and water eluates from the samples were screened using a Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) and a Yeast Antiandrogen Screen (YAAS). One sample was shown to possess both estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity, and another was found to be antiandrogenic. GC–MS analysis showed the presence of ethyl-, methyl-, and propylparaben in one product. Wagner told The Column: “In [the] case of one product we found three different parabens. These are well-known EDCs, which are normally used as preservatives in cosmetics.” He added: “In [the] case of the second product, we demonstrated that this teether leached six different EDCs, all of which remain so far unidentified. In a broader sense, our study demonstrates that babies will be exposed to EDCs when chewing on plastic teethers. Because they are especially susceptible, we should aim at minimizing their exposure to EDCs.” - B.D.
Reference
1. E. Berger et al., Journal of Applied Toxicology DOI 10.1002/jat.3159 (2015).
This story was featured in LCGC's digital magazine, The Column. Click here to view the full issue>>
Presenting GC Data Comparisons to Laypersons to Understand Potential Courtroom Implications
January 6th 2025In forensic science, scientific testimony is routinely presented in court to juries who may have limited or no scientific background, putting law enforcement and defense personnel in the position of having to make rapid decisions in short timeframes based on findings of which they are not specialists. Katelynn Perrault Uptmor, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at William & Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia) believes that the introduction of new technologies into the framework of routine forensic analysis must therefore bridge the gap between introduction of new and novel analytical science and the communication of that science to a court of law, and that analytical chemistry research must be mindful of the need to fill this gap in promoting new technologies.
Detailed Glycosylation Analysis of Therapeutic Enzymes Utilizing Comprehensive 2D-LC–MS
January 3rd 2025In this article, the use of comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography (LC×LC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) for characterizing glycosylation of therapeutic enzymes is presented.
Advancing Gene Therapy: Enzyme Selection for Effective RNA Oligonucleotide Mapping
New gene therapy modalities, such as CRISPR guide RNA (single guide ribonucleic acid [sgRNA]) and messenger RNA (mRNA), continue to make progress in both primate and first-in-human trials. As this progress builds, the industry remains accountable for characterizing these molecules to meet the requirements of regulatory authorities.
