Description

BHA is a chemical antioxidant used as a preservative in some edible fats and oils, fat- or oil-containing foods (e.g., baked goods, pork sausage), chewing gum, cosmetics, animal feed, food packaging, and in rubber and petroleum products. They help prevent fats and oils from going rancid.

Children can be exposed to BHA through a variety of processed foods.

BHA is related to a more widely used food preservative, BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene). BHT is not known to be an endocrine disruptor. Studies have not linked BHT to cancer conclusively.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, butylated hydroxyanisole is Moderately Toxic
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, butylated hydroxyanisole is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), butylated hydroxyanisole is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

Allergen
Suspected Endocrine Disruptor = May interfere with, mimic or block hormones

Other

In test animals, BHA has caused cancer in the forestomach. Humans do not have a forestomach, although the cause of any kind of tumors in animals is cause for concern.
A probable carcinogen. There is no data on caner effects in humans but there are enough animals studies to conclude that it is a carcinogen in humans.
In test tube studies, BHA has mimicked the hormonal actions of estrogen.
Repeated contact with skin may cause irritation and skin allergies/dermatitis.

How Exposures Occur

In Cosmetics

BHA may be absorbed through the skin from lipsticks, lip glosses, facial creams, eye shadows and mascaras that contain it as a preservative, or ingested from lipstick or lip gloss contact with foods and tongue.

In Foods

Children may ingest small quantities of BHA in some processed foods and snacks, such as chewing gum, dehydrated potatoes, potato chips, baked goods, dry-mix beverages and desserts, and dry breakfast cereals. However, BHA content is not permitted to exceed 0.02% of the total fat content of foods or 0.1% of chewing gum. There are also separate limits for different types of dry foods.

Occupational

Workers who handle products in fields such as cosmetics, food producers, animal feed producers and rubber producers may be exposed. Also, workers in fast food restaurants who cook and serve oily and fried foods may have an increased risk of exposure.

Significant Statistics

In a 1981 survey by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, BHA was reported to be used in 3,217 to 21,279 cosmetic formulations. In the majority (88%) of cases, the reported concentration was less than 0.1 percent. One product, a lipstick, was reported to contain more than 10 percent BHA. In this survey, lipsticks (1,256 products) represented the highest use of BHA, with eye shadows being the next highest (410 products).

“Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), CAS No. 25013-16-5.” Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program. February 13, 2009. http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s027bha.pdf.

In 1975, the estimated average daily intake of BHA in the diet was 4.3 milligrams.

Solutions

How to detect butylated hydroxyanisole

Read labels on processed foods. BHA is approved for use in many processed foods, including chewing gum, lard, potato chips, dehydrated potatoes, yeast, dry-mix beverages and desserts, dry breakfast cereals, and shortenings.
Read labels on cosmetics and personal care products. BHA is used in many lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, eye shadows, and facial creams. A search for BHA in the National Library of Medicine’s Household Products Database will show brand names of cosmetics that contain it.
You can search for personal care products containing butylated hydroxyanisole on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Searchable Product Guide website.

How to minimize exposure to butylated hydroxyanisole

Avoid products listing BHA or butylated hydroxyanisole as an ingredient.

Alternatives

Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and minimally processed foods. They are much more nutritious and less likely to contain potentially harmful preservatives and additives.
Plant- and mineral-based lipsticks and other cosmetics are often available at natural foods stores. However, read labels carefully to be sure BHA is not listed as an ingredient.