Risks associated with nano MBBT
By the AVICENN team – Last updated November 2020
Risks associated with nano MBBT
MBBT is insoluble and persistent / bioaccumulative.
In its opinions published in 2013 and 20151See :
– Opinion on 2,2′-Methylene-bis-(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol), Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS / CSSC), COLIPA No. S79, SCCS/1460/11, March 2013 (revised July 2013)
– Opinion on 2,2′-Methylene-bis-(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol) (nano form), Submission III, SCCS, SCCS/1546/15, March 2015 (publication June 2015)., the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) supported the use of an uncoated form of MBBT as a UV filter in dermally applied products, mainly on the basis of a lack of dermal absorption as insoluble particles.
It has been permitted since 2018 at a concentration of 10% m/m, except for applications that may result in end-user lung exposure through inhalation of this substance.
However, due to the inflammatory effects by inhalation as well as a lack of clarity with respect to the potential genotoxicity/carcinogenicity and because some applications listed in the European catalog of nanomaterials used in cosmetics can lead to oral or inhalation exposure, MBBT nano was ranked as the highest risk nanomaterial in the cosmetic sector by the SCCS in October 20202Cf. Scientific advice on the safety of nanomaterials in cosmetics – Preliminary advice, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS / SCCS), 5 October 2020: Priority for Risk Potential (according to Brand et al., 2019): 34.
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Upcoming Nano Agenda
- Awareness-raising aimed at personnel in contact with nanomaterials during research, formulation, production, maintenance, cleaning, upkeep, etc., as well as safety coordinators or engineers, facility managers, heads of laboratories where nanoparticles are handled.
- Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
- On the agenda: potential impact on health; metrology and protection; control of potential risks associated with nanomaterials; consideration of societal aspects.
- Website: https://instn.cea.fr/formation/maitrise-des-risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux-sensibilisation
- Awareness-raising aimed at personnel in contact with nanomaterials during research, formulation, production, maintenance, cleaning, upkeep, etc., as well as safety coordinators or engineers, facility managers, heads of laboratories where nanoparticles are handled.
- Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
- On the agenda: potential impact on health; metrology and protection; control of potential risks associated with nanomaterials; consideration of societal aspects.
- Website: https://instn.cea.fr/formation/maitrise-des-risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux-sensibilisation
- 16th meeting of the “nano and health” dialogue committee
- Organizer: ANSES
File initially created in November 2020
Notes and references
- 1See :
– Opinion on 2,2′-Methylene-bis-(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol), Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS / CSSC), COLIPA No. S79, SCCS/1460/11, March 2013 (revised July 2013)
– Opinion on 2,2′-Methylene-bis-(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol) (nano form), Submission III, SCCS, SCCS/1546/15, March 2015 (publication June 2015). - 2Cf. Scientific advice on the safety of nanomaterials in cosmetics – Preliminary advice, Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS / SCCS), 5 October 2020: Priority for Risk Potential (according to Brand et al., 2019): 34