Description

Benzophenone, a white crystal with a rose odor, can be used as a photoinitiator (usually a process in making plastics), a fragrance enhancer, an ultraviolet curing agent, and as a flavor ingredient. It is also used in the manufacture of insecticides, agricultural chemicals, and hypnotics, antihistamines, and other pharmaceuticals, and it is used as an additive in plastics, coatings, and adhesive formulations.

Benzophenone-3 occurs naturally in some flowering plants and protects the plant from harmful UV rays. Its ability to absorb and scatter UV light make it a candidate for use in lotions and cosmetics as a sunscreen. It is also used in plastics to help protect the plastic from breaking down in UV light and to protect contents in a plastic container.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, benzophenone is Not Available
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, benzophenone is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), benzophenone is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

There is some evidence that benzophenone is an endocrine disruptor.

Other

Some people may experience skin irritation or a skin allergy when exposed to sunlight known as a photo allergy.
Can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract.
Risks from low levels of exposure are generally unknown.
The liver, kidneys and hematopoietic system were the primary systems affected by benzophenone in animal studies.

How Exposures Occur

Occupational

Workers can be exposed through inhalation or dermal contact

Dermal Contact

You can be exposed by using consumer products that contain benzophenone as an ingredient

Inhalation

Usually from aerosol substances containing benzophenone.

Significant Statistics

Concentrations of benzophenone in food range from 0.57ppm in nonalcoholic beverages to 3.27ppm in some frozen dairy products.
Chhabra, Rajendra S., Ph.D. NTP Technical Report on the Toxicity Studies of Benzophenone. April 2000. http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/ST_rpts/tox061.pdf.
In a study, CDC scientists found benzophenone-3 in the urine of nearly all the study subjects indicating that exposure to benzophenone-3 is widespread among the US population.
Benzaphenone-3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/pdf/Benzophenone-3_FactSheet.pdf.

Solutions

How to detect benzophenone

Read labels to determine if benzophenone is in a product. You can also find out if benzophenone is in your soap, cosmetic or other toiletry item by visiting the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety website. You can search for your product and see if the ingredient is included. You can also search the Household Products Database to find out if your product includes benzophenone.

How to minimize exposure to benzophenone

Find an effective sunscreen by visiting the Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen Guide. Visit the cosmetics database to find out if you are using a product that includes benzophenone. Choose products that do not include benzophenone as an ingredient.

For More information

Books, articles, factsheets and reports

International Chemical Safety Cards: Benzophenone.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0389.html

Benzaphenone-3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/pdf/Benzophenone-3_FactSheet.pdf.

Other government agencies

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20460-0003
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
http://www.cdc.gov

Nonprofit organizations

Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Other websites

Household Products Database
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm