Lomonosov University research finds toxic effects of sunscreen chemical

New research conducted by Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia has shown that a common chemical 'avobenzone' found in sunscreen products breaks down into harmful toxic compounds upon exposure to sun and chlorinated water. 

Found in cosmetic products such as lipsticks and creams, avobenzone is a dibenzoylmethane derivative and acts as a filter for ultraviolet (UV) radiation, reported phys.org.

The chemical was patented in 1973 and obtained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in 1988.

Avobenzone is reported to work by absorbing the UV radiation and converting it to non-harmful wavelengths of thermal energy.

The university’s Faculty of Chemistry scientists studied the properties of the chemical in chlorinated water and sunlight by applying sunscreen to the skin of swimmers. 

The findings showed that in these conditions avobenzone breaks down and forms toxic organic compounds such as aromatic acids, aldehydes, phenols and acetyl benzenes.

Lomonosov Moscow State University chemist Albert Lebedev was quoted by the news agency as saying: "On the basis of the experiments, one could make a conclusion that a generally safe compound transforms in the water and forms more dangerous products.

“In spite of the fact that there are no precise toxicological profiles for the most established products, it's known that acetyl benzenes and phenols, especially chorinated ones, are quite toxic."

During the research, scientists used a chromato-mass spectrometry to perform the qualitative and quantitative analysis.

According to Lebedev, the study of cosmetic products transformation is necessary to ensure their safety profile.

Avobenzone is being further investigated under chlorination and bromination conditions of freshwater and seawater.