From preservative to environmental and health hazards: A review on diverse applications, health impacts and detection methods of paraben(s)

Abstract

Paraben(s), or p-hydroxybenzoate derivatives, have been extensively used as preservatives in catalogues of products for decades. The chemical(s) of the group, are well known for their water solubility, chemical stability, and low production costs; additionally, these synthetic organics can be used as supplements in cosmetics, packaged foods, pharmaceuticals, and many other products requiring prolonged shelf lives. However, recent reports of paraben mediated endocrine disruptions, allergic responses, cancer, loss of fertility, and respiratory disorders are alarming and are the sign of growing health and environmental hazards. Unregulated disposal of the packaged products supplemented with parabens, and unintended uses may increase the environmental burden in time to come. Recent studies exploring the health hazards associated with the use or consumption of compounds have provided insight into the underlying mechanisms of action. The paraben(s) are assimilated through two routes, oral administration and through skin permeation. The ability to detect compounds in different environmental habitats with robust and specific techniques is important due to the unintended public health burdens of these compounds. This review presents the recent finding on health burden of the compounds, fallacies in detection and chronological advancements in the detection of paraben(s). This review assesses the impact of the increasing use of parabens on different cohorts, health hazards and the need to develop more robust and accurate tools for detecting paraben in different environments.