What are the harmful effects of parabens?

Presently, there are no restrictions on the use of parabens in personal care products (PCPs) in Canada (Government of Canada, 2022). As a result, consumers often use PCPs containing this toxin and assume that they are safe. There are, however, numerous health implications associated with the frequent use of paraben-containing PCPs, including endocrine disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, and early exposure of fetuses and infants.

Parabens as Endocrine Disruptors

Parabens are known to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals, as they have been found to cause negative health effects in individuals (Nowak et al., 2018). In animal studies, parabens have been found to alter the weight of various endocrine organs, including the adrenal and thyroid glands. This may lead to organ dysfunction and hormonal imbalances (Nowak et al., 2018).

Parabens have also been shown to possess estrogenic activity, meaning that they can mimic and antagonize the female sex hormone estrogen in the body (Nowak et al., 2018). The toxic chemical is able to inhibit an essential enzyme, estrogen sulfotransferase, that regulates estrogen levels in the body. As a result, the increased use of paraben-containing PCPs leads to elevated levels of estrogen in the body. For women, this may cause weight gain, low mood, anxiety, and increased premenstrual syndrome symptoms (Engeli et al., 2017).

Cancer Risk

Increasing evidence suggests that parabens may be associated with women’s increased risk of developing breast cancer (Wan et al., 2021). As previously discussed, parabens have estrogenic activity which may disturb the typical development of breast cells. This may result in abnormal cell growth, increasing the risk of breast cancer.

A study by Darbre et al. (2004) observed intact parabens in human breast tumour tissue. 62% of the parabens found were methylparabens. This suggests that after frequent exposure to paraben-containing PCPs, parabens may remain in the body unmetabolized, resulting in elevated levels of estrogen and putting women at a higher risk of developing breast cancer (Darbre et al., 2004).

Fetal & Infant Exposures

Not only have parabens been found in the urine and blood of women following frequent exposures, but they have also been observed in both the amniotic fluid and breastmilk of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers (Bräuner et al., 2022; Park et al., 2019). Constant exposure to paraben-containing PCPs puts not only women themselves at an increased risk for negative health implications, but their fetuses and infants as well.

Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds the fetus inside the amniotic sac (Fitzsimmons & Bajaj, 2022). It serves to protect the developing fetus from infection, as well as transfer nutrients from the mother to the fetus. A study that explored the presence of various endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the maternal serum, urine, and amniotic fluid of pregnant women was conducted to determine whether the toxins were able to pass through the placental barrier (Bräuner et al., 2022). While concentrations of parabens were higher in maternal urine, they were still present in the amniotic fluid. Six types of parabens were observed in the amniotic fluid, however the most prevalent were methylparaben (87%) and ethylparaben (33%). These results are alarming, as they suggest that individuals may be unknowingly exposed to the harmful effects of parabens before birth.

Furthermore, parabens have also been observed in the breast milk of mothers. A study by Park et al. (2019) found increased levels of the toxin in individuals who frequently used basic skin care products and cosmetics among many other behaviours. While the infants’ estimated daily intake was less than the acceptable amount set by the European Food Safety Authority, any amount of parabens may still present a potential health risk to infants. Early exposure to parabens may affect fetal or infant growth and development, including congenital malformations, immaturity, and early onset of puberty (Błędzka et al., 2014).

Week recap

Switching to paraben-free personal care products can lower the concentration of the toxin in the body. Apps such as SkinSAFE, Ama Care, and Yuka can help check if a product is paraben-free.