Label Check: Parabens

This is the first in my Label Check series, in which I focus on one chemical or class of chemicals. Today I'll focus on parabens, antimicrobial preservatives found in cosmetics (including baby products), deodorants, foods, and pharmaceuticals. 

Parabens are absorbed through the digestive system, skin and blood. Parabens are estrogenic endocrine disruptors that bind to estrogen receptors.

"They also increase the expression of many genes that are usually regulated by the natural estrogen estradiol and cause human breast tumor cells (MCF-7 cells) to grow and proliferate in vitro (Byford, 2002; Pugazhendhi, 2007)"

Meaning, that outside of the body, in tissue samples, parabens increased human breast cancer cell growth.  A small 2004 study of 20 women in the UK found intact (un-metabolized) parabens in breast tumors, although this study did not establish a cause-effect relationship between parabens and breast cancer. Some people disregard this 20-person study because it did not take into account normal paraben tissue amounts.

Parabens can also act as toxins to the reproductive system. Studies in animals have shown that dietary exposure to parabens lead to  decreased daily sperm production and decreased serum testosterone production in male mice.
Parabens have also been linked to neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity and  skin irritation.

You can avoid labels by looking for "paraben-free" products. Happy label reading!