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4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR
Score
Data: Fair
CAS36861-47-9
antiperspirant/ deodorant (4 products)
exfoliant/ scrub (1 products)
antiperspirant/ deodorant (men's) (1 products)
anti-aging (1 products)
facial moisturizer/ treatment (1 products)
Show all 8 products that contain 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR.
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4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR


image source: PubChem
Health concerns of ingredient
About the ratings
Cancer no information
Developmental & reproductive toxicityyes
Allergies & immunotoxicity no information
Use restrictionsyes
Contamination concerns: none
Other MODERATE concerns: Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation
Other LOW concerns: Data gaps

About the ratings

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

Function/use(s): Ultraviolet Light Absorber; UV ABSORBER; UV FILTER

About 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR: A UV filter not approved as an active ingredient for sunscreen in the U.S., but listed as an inactive ingredient in some products. European researchers cite concerns over thyroid toxicity, hormone dis ... read more

Synonym(s): BICYCLO [2.2.1] HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] -; ENACAMENE; 3- (4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE) -DL-CAMPHOR; 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] BICYCLO [2.2.1] HEPTAN-2-ONE; 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] - BICYCLO [2.2.1] HEPTAN-2-ONE; 4-METHYLBENZYLIDINE CAMPHOR; 4-METHYL-3-BENZYLIDINE CAMPHOR; BICYCLO (2.2.1) HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] -; EUSOLEX 6300; (±) -1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] BICYCLO [2.2.1] HEPTAN-2-ONE; MBC

Use restrictions

type of concern product conditions reference
Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions -   SCCP (2006)

Endocrine disruption

type of concern product conditions reference
Human endocrine disruptor - strong evidence    European Commission on Endocrine Disruption
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Developmental/reproductive toxicity

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more animal studies show effects at very low doses    Durrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al, 2007
show more

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern product conditions reference
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife    OSPAR PBTs - Substances of Possible Concern
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife    Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literature
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Enhanced skin absorption

type of concern product conditions reference
Absorbs into the skin    Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP, 2008
Absorbs into the skin    SCCP (2006)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern product conditions reference
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Ecotoxicology

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be an environmental toxin    Environment Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

type of concern product conditions reference
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel  
2,817 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->   PubMed

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListBICYCLO[2.2.1]HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3-[(4-METHYLPHENYL)METHYLENE]-,,,,Y-Bioaccumulative,,,,,
European Commission on Endocrine Disruption3-(4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE)CAMPHORHH-CAT1;WF-CAT3a
OSPAR PBTs - Substances of Possible Concern1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3-[(4-METHYLPHENYL)METHYLENE]-BICYCLO(2.2.1)HEPTAN-2-ONEChemical of Concern under the OSPAR convention
Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literatureBICYCLO(2.2.1)HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3-[(4-METHYLPHENYL)METHYLENE]-Identified as an potential emerging PBT in the scientific literature
Inui, 20034- METHYL-BENZYLIDENE CAMPHORIncreased VTG plasma concentration in male medaka
SCCPNFP, 044-METHYLBENZYLIDINE CAMPHORIncreased TSH in combination with elevated T3 or T4, enlarged thyroids and thyroid proliferation suggests a major interference of 4-MBC in thyroid hormone metabolism.
SCCPNFP, 04; Gleich, 19884-METHYLBENZYLIDINE CAMPHORThere was some retardation of ossification in foetuses of the intermediate and high dose groups.; NOAEL for developmental effects in rats at 10 mg/kg/day
SCCP (2006)4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHORThe SCCP is of the opinion that presently the safe use of a maximum concentration of 4% 4-MBC in sunscreens cannot be established.
SCCP (2006)4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHORAbout 2% of the dose was absorbed in 6 volunteers through dermal penetration
Durrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al, 20074-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR4-MBC affects development of male reproductive functions and organs, with a lowest observed adverse effect level of 0.7 mg/kg.
Durrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al, 20074-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR4-MBC delays male puberty and alters hormone receptor expression in the prostate of rats.
Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP, 20084-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHORAt 4.4 mg/cm(2) coverage of UV filter on the baby mouse skin, 1.15 +/- 0.14 % of the applied MBC were detected in the receptor fluid at 24 h after application.
Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP, 20084-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHORAt 4.4 mg/cm(2) coverage of UV filter on the baby mouse skin, 2.98 +/- 0.38 % of the applied EHMC was detected in the receptor fluid at 24 h after application.
Schlumpf M, Durrer S, Faass O et al, 20084-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHORA rat study reveals impaired reproductive development in males and females, with a lowest observed adverse effect level of 7 mg/kg.
Schlumpf M, Kypke K, Vökt C, Birchler M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al, 20084-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR

Other RTECS® classifications [shown for informational purposes only]
government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
RTECS®- EHP, Environmental Health Perspectives 20024-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR• endocrine system - Changes in uterine weight (rat TDLo)
• endocrine system - Estrogenic (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Toxicologist 20014-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR• endocrine system - Changes in uterine weight (rat TDLo)
• endocrine system - Estrogenic (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Toxicologist 20034-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR• reproductive - Central nervous system (rat TDLo)
• developmental - Viability index (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 20014-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR• reproductive - Endocrine system (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Toxicology 20044-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR• endocrine system - Changes in uterine weight (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Toxicology 20044-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR• developmental - Delayed effects (rat TDLo)
• reproductive - Litter size (rat TDLo)
• reproductive - Urogenital system (rat TDLo)
• endocrine system - Changes in uterine weight (rat TDLo)
• endocrine system - Estrogenic (rat TDLo)
RTECS®- Toxicology 20044-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR• endocrine system - Evidence of thyroid hyperfunction (rat TDLo)
• liver - Other changes (rat TDLo)
• biochemical - Other oxidoreductases (rat TDLo)

references
government/industry list/academic study reference
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
European Commission on Endocrine DisruptionEU (European Union)- Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters 2007. Commision on endocrin disruption requested by the European Parliament in 1998.
OSPAR PBTs - Substances of Possible ConcernOSPAR (Oslo-Paris). 2002. OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR. Place Published, OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environement of North-East Atlanic.
Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literatureEmerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literature
Open scientific literature{Inui, 2003}
Open scientific literature{SCCPNFP, 04}
Open scientific literature{SCCPNFP, 04; Gleich, 1988}
Open scientific literatureSCCP (2006). "Opinion concerning 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor ". European Commission - The Scientfic Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers. SCCP/1042/06 Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/sccp_opinions_en.htm.
Open scientific literatureSCCP (2006). "Opinion concerning 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor ". European Commission - The Scientfic Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers. SCCP/1042/06 Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/sccp_opinions_en.htm.
Open scientific literatureDurrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al. "Estrogen sensitivity of target genes and expression of nuclear receptor co-regulators in rat prostate after pre- and postnatal exposure to the ultraviolet filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor." Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115 Suppl 1:42-50.
Open scientific literatureDurrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al. "Estrogen sensitivity of target genes and expression of nuclear receptor co-regulators in rat prostate after pre- and postnatal exposure to the ultraviolet filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor." Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115 Suppl 1:42-50.
Open scientific literatureKlinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP. Transdermal penetration of UV filters. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2008; 21 (1):23-9.
Open scientific literatureKlinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP. Transdermal penetration of UV filters. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2008; 21 (1):23-9.
Open scientific literatureSchlumpf M, Durrer S, Faass O et al. "Developmental toxicity of UV filters and environmental exposure: a review." Int J Androl 2008; 31 (2):144-51.
Open scientific literatureSchlumpf M, Kypke K, Vökt C, Birchler M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al. 2008. Endocrine Active UV Filters: Developmental Toxicity and Exposure Through Breast Milk. Chimia 62: 1-7.
RTECS®- EHP, Environmental Health Perspectives 2002 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- EHP, Environmental Health Perspectives. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Supt of Documents, Washington, DC 20402) No.1- 1972- 110,533,2002
RTECS®- Toxicologist 2001 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 60,298,2001
RTECS®- Toxicologist 2003 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 72,133,2003
RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 2001 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- Toxicology Letters. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1977- 135,S85,2001
RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973- 199,109,2004
RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973- 205,113,2004
RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 [shown for informational purposes only]RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973- 205,95,2004

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