Determination of parabens and benzophenone-type UV filters in human placenta: First description of the existence of benzyl paraben and benzophenone-4
Abstract
UV filters and parabens (PBs) are chemicals used in daily personal care and hygiene products to protect materials and humans from the adverse effects of UV radiation and to preserve the integrity of the formulation, respectively. Several studies highlight their widespread environmental occurrence and endocrine disrupting effects. However, little is known about human exposure to these compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the exposure of human embryos and foetuses to endocrine disrupting UV filters and PBs. Placentas from volunteer mothers in Barcelona were collected at delivery after informed, written consent by the pregnant women. UV filters and parabens were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The excellent performance of the method allowed measuring the target compounds in human placental tissue at low ng/g fresh weight level. The detection frequency of the selected compounds was in the range 17-100%. Benzophenone-1, methyl paraben, butyl paraben and benzyl paraben were detected in all samples. The highest measured concentration corresponded to methyl paraben, 11.77ng/g fresh weight. Reported concentrations of benzophenone-4 and benzyl paraben constitute the first evidence about their accumulation in placenta. The results obtained corroborate that foetuses are exposed to a wide diversity of UV filters and PBs via the placenta.
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UV filters can cause toxic effects.
“In fact, many studies have confirmed the detection of UV filters in human biological samples [12,13] and in marine organisms [14,15,16,17], thus confirming the hypothesis of UV filter-derived toxic effects.”
From UV Filters: Challenges and Prospects (2022) · cites this paper as [12]
UV filters have been detected in human biological samples.
“In fact, many studies have confirmed the detection of UV filters in human biological samples [12,13] and in marine organisms [14,15,16,17], thus confirming the hypothesis of UV filter-derived toxic effects.”
From UV Filters: Challenges and Prospects (2022) · cites this paper as [12]
The frequency of detection of benzophenone-type UV filters in placentas varied between 17% and 100%.
“The frequency of detection of UV filters (benzophenone derivatives) varied between 17% and 100%.”
From UV Filters: Challenges and Prospects (2022) · cites this paper as [12]
BP-4 tends to accumulate more among benzophenone-type UV filters in placenta, with concentrations between 0.25 and 5.41 ng/g.
“Of all the benzophenone-type UV filters tested, benzophenone-4 (BP-4) (12) was the UV filter that tends to accumulate more among this type of compounds in placenta with concentrations between 0.25 ng/g and 5.41 ng/g [12].”
From UV Filters: Challenges and Prospects (2022) · cites this paper as [12]
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References 53 · Cited by 147
- Authors
- Valle-Sistac, J., Molins-Delgado, D., Díaz, M., Ibáñez, L., Barceló, D., & Silvia Díaz-Cruz, M.
- Affiliations
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
- Venue
- Environment International
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-03
- Volume
- 88
- Pages
- 243-249
- ISSN
- 0160-4120 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2236951656
- Cited by
- 147
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 11
- FWCI
- 10.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Environment International (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (PI11/0443)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Keywords
- parabens, benzophenone UV filters, benzophenone-4, human placenta, prenatal exposure, endocrine disruptors, personal care products, methylparaben, butylparaben, placental transfer
- MeSH terms
- Benzophenones, Chromatography, Liquid, Female, Humans, Parabens, Placenta, Pregnancy, Spain, Sunscreening Agents, Endocrine Disruptors, Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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