Menu
4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR
Score:
Data: Fair
- Other Concerns
- Functions
- About the Chemical
- Synonyms
-
Use restrictions (high), Endocrine disruption (moderate), and Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
Cancer 
Cancer: Ingredients linked to cancer in government, industry or academic studies or assessments.
Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
Developmental and reproductive toxicity: Ingredients linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, a broad class of health effects that range from infertility and reproductive organ cancers to birth defects and developmental delays in children.
Allergies & Immunotoxicity
Allergies and immunotoxicity: Ingredients linked to harm to the immune system, a class of health problems that manifest as allergic reactions or an impaired capacity to fight disease and repair damaged tissue in the body.
Products with this Ingredient
Enhanced skin absorption
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| About 2% of the dose was absorbed in 6 volunteers through dermal penetration | SCCP (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. |
Use restrictions
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| The 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) "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. |
Endocrine disruption
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Human endocrine disruptor - strong evidence | European Commission on Endocrine Disruption |
| Increased VTG plasma concentration in male medaka | {Inui, 2003} |
| 4-MBC delays male puberty and alters hormone receptor expression in the prostate of rats. | Durrer 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. |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | OSPAR PBTs - Substances of Possible Concern |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literature |
| Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in people | Schlumpf 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. |
| Not suspected to be persistent | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| 4-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 "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. |
| A rat study reveals impaired reproductive development in males and females, with a lowest observed adverse effect level of 7 mg/kg. | Schlumpf 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. |
| There 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 | {SCCPNFP, 04; Gleich, 1988} |
Data gaps
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| 4773 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical | NLM PubMed |
Ecotoxicology
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Data Sources
- SCCP (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.
- EU (European Union)- Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters 2007. Commision on endocrin disruption requested by the European Parliament in 1998.
- {Inui, 2003}
- Durrer 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.
- OSPAR (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 literature
- Schlumpf 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.
- EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
- Schlumpf 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.
- {SCCPNFP, 04; Gleich, 1988}
- NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.
ABOUT THE SKIN DEEP® 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
ABOUT EWG VERIFIED™
Beyond providing Skin Deep® as an educational tool for consumers, EWG offers its EWG VERIFIED™ mark as a quick and easily identifiable way of conveying personal care products that meet EWG's strict health criteria. Before a company can use EWG VERIFIED™ on such products, the company must show that it fully discloses the products' ingredients on their labels or packaging, they do not contain EWG ingredients of concern, and are made with good manufacturing practices, among other criteria. Note that EWG receives licensing fees from all EWG VERIFIED™ member companies that help to support the important work we do. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer
