chemical Class

Musks


Chemicals in the class:

Cashmeran, Celestolide, Galaxolide, Musk ambrette, Musk ketone, Musk moskene, Musk tibetene, Musk xylene, Phantolide, Tonalide, Traseolide

Found in these people:

Suzie Canales, Jean Salone, Jennifer Hill-Kelley, Dr. Beverly Wright, Vivian Chang, Adult #108, Cord Blood Sample 12, Cord Blood Sample 13, Cord Blood Sample 18, Cord Blood Sample 20, Anonymous Adult 2, Anonymous Adult 6, Anonymous Adult 7, Anonymous Adult 9, Anonymous Adult 12, Anonymous Adult 13, Anonymous Adult 18, Anonymous Adult 20, Anonymous Adult 21, Anonymous Adult 10, Anonymous Adult 4, Anonymous Adult 5, Anonymous Adult 11, Anonymous Adult 3, Anonymous Adult 15, Cord Blood Sample 11, Cord Blood Sample 17, Cord Blood Sample 19, Asta Haman-Dicko, Rizza Alcaria, Alex Wells, Anonymous Teen 20, Emma Spencer, Sydney Blankers, Caroline Burlingame, Donalin Cazeau, Jenny Gilbertson, Anonymous Teen 21, Anonymous Teen 1, Anonymous Adult 16, Jessica Assaf, Natalie Klapper

Found in these locations:

Corpus Christi, TX; Green Bay, WI; New Orleans, LA; Oakland, CA; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Lamont, FL; Atlanta, GA; Mountain View, CA; Stanford, CA; Alamo, CA; Fallbrook, CA; San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Fredericksburg, VA; Palo Alto, CA; Newton, MA; Berkeley, CA; San Leandro, CA; Manteca, CA; Austin, TX; Winchester, MA; Belmont, CA; Langhorne, PA; Dorchester, MA; Novato, CA; San Rafael, CA


Summary

Nitro- and polycyclic musks are synthetic fragrance ingredients typically used in cosmetics, perfume, air fresheners, cleansing agents, detergents, and soap. Musks are also used as food additives, and in cigarettes and fish baits. Commonly used musks contaminate lakes and fish in the United States and Europe (Fromme 2001; Peck 2004, 2006; Duedahl-Olesen 2005; Kannan 2005). Nitro- and polycyclic musks tend to accumulate in the fatty tissues of our bodies, and are often detected in breast milk as well as blood (Rimkus 1996; Liebl 2000; TNO 2004, 2005; Hutter 2005).

In laboratory studies, some nitromusks have been linked to cancer (Maekawa 1990; Apostolidis 2002). Studies of nitromusks in people suggest that high levels of some of these chemicals are associated with reproductive and fertility problems in women (Eisenhardt 2001). Some also produce skin irritation and sensitization (Parker 1986; Hayakawa 1991).

Growing concerns about the health effects of nitromusks have led the European Union to ban the use of some of these chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products. As a result, the use of polycyclic musks has increased. However, laboratory studies suggest that polycyclic musks, like nitromusks, may also affect hormone systems (Seinen 1999; Chou 1999a; Bitsch 2002; Gomez 2005; Schreurs 2004, 2005a, b). Two particular musk chemicals, a nitromusk (musk ambrette) and a polycyclic musk that both produced neurotoxic effects in laboratory animals, have been removed from the market voluntarily. In the United States, all musk chemicals are unregulated, and safe levels of exposure have not yet been set.




Musks

Fragrance ingredients. Build up in human tissues. May harm hormone system.

Musks has been found in 42 of the 52 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies.

Top health concerns for Musks (References)

health concern or target organ weight of evidence
Endocrine systemunknown
Cancerlimited

Other health concerns for Musks (References)

health concern or target organ weight of evidence
Gastrointestinal (including liver)unknown
Chronic effects, generalunknown
Reproduction and fertilityunknown
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)possible
Skinunknown
Brain and nervous systemunknown

Other relevant risk considerations for Musks (References)

Wildlife and environmental toxicity.


Toxicity Classifications (References)

classification governing entity/references
Cancer - limited evidence of carcinogenicityApostolidis, S., T. Chandra, et al. (2002). "Evaluation of carcinogenic potential of two nitro-musk derivatives, musk xylene and musk tibetene in a host-mediated in vivo/in vitro assay system." Anticancer Res 22(5): 2657-62., Maekawa, A., Y. Matsushima, et al. (1990). "Long-term toxicity/carcinogenicity of musk xylol in B6C3F1 mice." Food Chem Toxicol 28(8): 581-6.
Chronic effects, general - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedLuckenbach, T. and D. Epel (2005). "Nitromusk and polycyclic musk compounds as long-term inhibitors of cellular xenobiotic defense systems mediated by multidrug transporters." Environ Health Perspect 113(1): 17-24.
Endocrine disruptor - suspected or limited evidenceSeinen, W., J. G. Lemmen, et al. (1999). "AHTN and HHCB show weak estrogenic--but no uterotrophic activity." Toxicol Lett 111(1-2): 161-8., Schreurs, R. H., E. Sonneveld, et al. (2005b). "Interaction of polycyclic musks and UV filters with the estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), and progesterone receptor (PR) in reporter gene bioassays." Toxicol Sci 83(2): 264-72., Schreurs, R. H., E. Sonneveld, et al. (2005a). "Examination of the in vitro (anti)estrogenic, (anti)androgenic and (anti)dioxin-like activities of tetralin, indane and isochroman derivatives using receptor-specific bioassays." Toxicol Lett 156(2): 261-75., Bitsch, N., C. Dudas, et al. (2002). "Estrogenic activity of musk fragrances detected by the E-screen assay using human mcf-7 cells." Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 43(3): 257-64., Chou, Y. J. and D. R. Dietrich (1999). "Interactions of nitromusk parent compounds and their amino-metabolites with the estrogen receptors of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and the South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis)." Toxicol Lett 111(1-2): 27-36., Gomez, E., A. Pillon, et al. (2005). "Estrogenic activity of cosmetic components in reporter cell lines: parabens, UV screens, and musks." J Toxicol Environ Health A 68(4): 239-51.
Endocrine system toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedBitsch N, Dudas C, Korner W, Failing K, Biselli S, Rimkus G, et al. 2002. Estrogenic activity of musk fragrances detected by the E-screen assay using human mcf-7 cells. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 43(3): 257-264.
Gastrointestinal system toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedSteinberg, P., T. Fischer, et al. (1999). "Acute hepatotoxicity of the polycyclic musk 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtaline (AHTN)." Toxicol Lett 111(1-2): 151-60.
Limited evidence in humans - endocrine system toxicityEisenhardt, S., B. Runnebaum, et al. (2001). "Nitromusk compounds in women with gynecological and endocrine dysfunction." Environ Res 87(3): 123-30.
Limited evidence in humans - skin toxicityParker, R. D., E. V. Buehler, et al. (1986). "Phototoxicity, photoallergy, and contact sensitization of nitro musk perfume raw materials." Contact Dermatitis 14(2): 103-9.
Nervous system toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedSpencer PS, Bischoff-Fenton MC, Moreno OM, Opdyke DL, Ford RA. 1984. Neurotoxic properties of musk ambrette. Toxicology and applied pharmacology 75(3): 571-575. Rimkus G, Butte W, Geyer H. 1997. Critical conciderations on the analysis and bioaccumulation of Musk Xylene and other synthetic nitro musks in fish. Chemosphere 35(7): 1497-1507. Ford RA, Api AM, Newberne PM. 1990. 90-day dermal toxicity study and neurotoxicity evaluation of nitromusks in the albino rat. Food Chem Toxicol 28(1): 55-61.
Potential breast cancer risksBitsch N, Dudas C, Korner W, Failing K, Biselli S, Rimkus G, et al. 2002. Estrogenic activity of musk fragrances detected by the E-screen assay using human mcf-7 cells. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 43(3): 257-264.
Reproductive effects - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedEisenhardt S, Runnebaum B, Bauer K, Gerhard I. 2001. Nitromusk compounds in women with gynecological and endocrine dysfunction. Environ Res 87(3): 123-130., Rimkus GG, Wolf M. 1996. Polycyclic musk fragrances in human adipose tissue and human milk. Chemosphere 33(10): 2033-2043. Rimkus G, Butte W, Geyer H. 1997. Critical conciderations on the analysis and bioaccumulation of Musk Xylene and other synthetic nitro musks in fish. Chemosphere 35(7): 1497-1507. Ford RA, Api AM, Newberne PM. 1990. 90-day dermal toxicity study and neurotoxicity evaluation of nitromusks in the albino rat. Food Chem Toxicol 28(1): 55-61.
Reproductive toxicant - limited evidenceEisenhardt, S., B. Runnebaum, et al. (2001). "Nitromusk compounds in women with gynecological and endocrine dysfunction." Environ Res 87(3): 123-30.
Skin sensitizerParker, R. D., E. V. Buehler, et al. (1986). "Phototoxicity, photoallergy, and contact sensitization of nitro musk perfume raw materials." Contact Dermatitis 14(2): 103-9., Parker RD, Buehler EV, Newmann EA. 1986. Phototoxicity, photoallergy, and contact sensitization of nitro musk perfume raw materials. Contact dermatitis 14(2): 103-109., Cronin E. 1984. Photosensitivity to musk ambrette. Contact dermatitis 11(2): 88-92. Parker RD, Buehler EV, Newmann EA. 1986. Phototoxicity, photoallergy, and contact sensitization of nitro musk perfume raw materials. Contact dermatitis 14(2): 103-109. Menz J, Muller SA, Connolly SM. 1988. Photopatch testing: a six-year experience. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 18(5 Pt 1): 1044-1047. Thune P, Jansen C, Wennersten G, Rystedt I, Brodthagen H, McFadden N. 1988. The Scandinavian multicenter photopatch study 1980-1985: final report. Photo-dermatology 5(6): 261-269. DeLeo VA, Suarez SM, Maso MJ. 1992. Photoallergic contact dermatitis. Results of photopatch testing in New York, 1985 to 1990. Archives of dermatology 128(11): 1513-1518. FDA (Food and Drug Administration). 1992. Cosmetic Handbook. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition: FDA/Industry Activities Staff Booklet: 1992.
Skin toxicity - weight of evidence unknown/unassessedHayakawa R, Matsunaga K, Arima Y. 1987. Depigmented contact dermatitis due to incense. Contact dermatitis 16(5): 272-274., Parker RD, Buehler EV, Newmann EA. 1986. Phototoxicity, photoallergy, and contact sensitization of nitro musk perfume raw materials. Contact dermatitis 14(2): 103-109.
Strong evidence in humans - skin toxicityCronin E. 1984. Photosensitivity to musk ambrette. Contact dermatitis 11(2): 88-92. Parker RD, Buehler EV, Newmann EA. 1986. Phototoxicity, photoallergy, and contact sensitization of nitro musk perfume raw materials. Contact dermatitis 14(2): 103-109. Menz J, Muller SA, Connolly SM. 1988. Photopatch testing: a six-year experience. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 18(5 Pt 1): 1044-1047. Thune P, Jansen C, Wennersten G, Rystedt I, Brodthagen H, McFadden N. 1988. The Scandinavian multicenter photopatch study 1980-1985: final report. Photo-dermatology 5(6): 261-269. DeLeo VA, Suarez SM, Maso MJ. 1992. Photoallergic contact dermatitis. Results of photopatch testing in New York, 1985 to 1990. Archives of dermatology 128(11): 1513-1518. FDA (Food and Drug Administration). 1992. Cosmetic Handbook. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition: FDA/Industry Activities Staff Booklet: 1992.
Wildlife and environmental toxicityBalk F, Ford RA. 1999. Environmental risk assessment for the polycyclic musks AHTN and HHCB in the EU. I. Fate and exposure assessment. Toxicology letters 111(1-2): 57-79. Wollenberger L, Breitholtz M, Ole Kusk K, Bengtsson BE. 2003. Inhibition of larval development of the marine copepod Acartia tonsa by four synthetic musk substances. Sci Total Environ 305(1-3): 53-64. Carlsson G, Norrgren L. 2004. Synthetic musk toxicity to early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 46(1): 102-105., Breitholtz M, Wollenberger L, Dinan L. 2003. Effects of four synthetic musks on the life cycle of the harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes. Aquat Toxicol 63(2): 103-118. Wollenberger L, Breitholtz M, Ole Kusk K, Bengtsson BE. 2003. Inhibition of larval development of the marine copepod Acartia tonsa by four synthetic musk substances. Sci Total Environ 305(1-3): 53-64., Chou YJ, Dietrich DR. 1999. Interactions of nitromusk parent compounds and their amino-metabolites with the estrogen receptors of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and the South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). Toxicology letters 111(1-2): 27-36. Breitholtz M, Wollenberger L, Dinan L. 2003. Effects of four synthetic musks on the life cycle of the harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes. Aquat Toxicol 63(2): 103-118. Wollenberger L, Breitholtz M, Ole Kusk K, Bengtsson BE. 2003. Inhibition of larval development of the marine copepod Acartia tonsa by four synthetic musk substances. Sci Total Environ 305(1-3): 53-64. Carlsson G, Norrgren L. 2004. Synthetic musk toxicity to early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 46(1): 102-105.