Methylparaben (1989)
Abstract
Methylparaben was an irritant to the skin and eye of man. In volunteer studies it exhibited a low sensitizing potential. The paraben esters, as a generic class, are rare skin sensitizers when applied to the intact skin of man. Application to the damaged skin is a more common cause of sensitization. Methylparaben and a methyl:ethyl:propylparaben mixture have been shown on oral administration to exacerbate pre-existing skin complaints. A limited number of more severe reactions have been reported from ingestion or injection of methylparaben in preparations. The ester demonstrated a low acute oral toxicity in laboratory animals. Limited studies involving repeated oral administration indicated a low toxicity in dogs and rats. Repeated oral administration was without reproductive toxic potential in a range of species. Preliminary carcinogenicity studies in rats receiving methylparaben in the diet or treated by injection gave no indication of chemical carcinogenic potential. Methylparaben was not mutagenic in the Ames bacterial test. It was able to induce chromosomal damage in mammalian cells in culture, but no similar activity was seen in rats or mice treated orally.
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