Expert: Dr.Paul Skett - 9/30/2005

Question
http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/hazmap_generic?tbl=TblAgents&id=1223

http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/hazmap_generic?tbl=TblAgents&id=997
these were 2 sites I found.... and aren't natural products best?

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Followup To
Question -
I am a huge fan of Pantene, but today I heard something rather alarming.

Three of the chemicals contained in not only Pantene products, but Suave products as well, have been shown to be absorbed through the scalp and cause possible neurological damage.

The 3 chemicals are:

Methyl Tyrosinate HCl
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone

Any one have any more info? I'd really appriciate help in researching this claim.
Answer -
Hi, Amanda,

Thanks for your question.

I have done a bit of research on this for you - where did you see the latest health info that you refer to?

Two of the ingredients (isothiazolinones) are known to be absorbed through the skin and this may be enhanced by the presence of a chemical called EDTA in the products as well. There is extensive toxicological data on these compounds and they have been passed OK in the concentrations used in the Pantene products - this does not mean that this status is permanent - if new info becomes available then the advice can change.

Often health scares are caused by journalists getting hold of information that they interpret incorrectly i.e. the isothiazolinones will cause cell death at high concentrations (this was known before they were put into beauty products) but there again if you drink too much water it will kill you (this is often the way Ecstasy kills).

If you let me know the source of your concern I will look at it and give you my interpretation.

Best wishes,

Paul


Answer
Hi, Amanda,

I have had a look at the sites mentioned. They are the standard US sites for all hazardous chemicals - this is a legislative requirement for any chemical to which the public or workers may be exposed - again, the problem of interpretation here is that the toxic effects noted are not always linkled to specific concentrations of chemicals - all chemicals are toxic if given in sufficient concentrations.

There is no specific indication that these chemicals have been shown to be neurotoxic recently -i.e. no new information.

As to "natural" products - the most toxic compound known to man (ricin) is a natural product from the castor bean. I could not, thus, agree with you that natural products are best.

I have not been able to unearth any research that suggests that the compounds you mention are specifically neurotoxic.

Sorry I can't help further with your research.

Best wishes,

Paul