Evaluation of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in pure mineral hydrocarbon-based cosmetics and cosmetic raw materials using ¹H NMR spectroscopy

Mineral hydrocarbons consist of two fractions, mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). MOAH is a potential public health hazard because it may include carcinogenic polycyclic compounds. In the present study, 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was introduced, in the context of official controls, to measure MOSH and MOAH in raw materials or pure mineral hydrocarbon final products (cosmetics and medicinal products). Quantitative determination (qNMR) has been established using the ERETIC methodology (electronic reference to access in vivo concentrations) based on the PULCON principle (pulse length based concentration determination). Various mineral hydrocarbons (e.g., white oils, paraffins or petroleum jelly) were dissolved in deuterated chloroform. The ERETIC factor was established using a quantification reference sample containing ethylbenzene and tetrachloronitrobenzene. The following spectral regions were integrated: MOSH δ 3.0 – 0.2 ppm and MOAH δ 9.2 - 6.5, excluding solvent signals. Validation showed a sufficient precision of the method with a coefficient of variation <6% and a limit of detection <0.1 g/100 g. The applicability of the method was proven by analysing 27 authentic samples with MOSH and MOAH contents in the range of 90-109 g/100 g and 0.02-1.10 g/100 g, respectively. It is important to distinguish this new NMR-approach from the hyphenated liquid chromatography-gas chromatography methodology previously used to characterize MOSH/MOAH amounts in cosmetic products. For mineral hydrocarbon raw materials or pure mineral hydrocarbon-based cosmetic products, NMR delivers higher specificity without any sample preparation besides dilution. Our sample survey shows that previous methods may have overestimated the MOAH amount in mineral oil products and opens new paths to characterize this fraction. Therefore, the developed method can be applied for routine monitoring of consumer products aiming to minimize public health risks

1,2-Epoxypropane – Addendum: evaluation of a pregnancy risk group for the BAT value

In 2012, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of 1,2-epoxypropane (propylene oxide) [75-56-9]. If the MAK value of 2 ml 1,2-epoxypropane/m3 (4.8 mg/m3) is observed, no prenatal toxic effects are to be expect ed. 1,2-epoxypropane was therefore classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C. In 2014, the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of 2500 pmol N-(2-hydroxypropyl)valine/g globin was derived in correlation to the MAK value. As a result, Pregnancy Risk Group C is likewise valid for the BAT value. No prenatal toxic effects are to be expected by compliance with the BAT value of 2500 pg N-(2-hydroxypropyl)valine/g globi

Dichloromethane – Addendum: evaluation of a pregnancy risk group for the BAT value

In 2014, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of dichloromethane [75-09-2] and set a MAK value of 50 ml dichloromethane/m3 (180 mg/m3). In humans, exposure to 50 ml/m3 of dichloromethane led to CO-Hb levels in the range of 3%, which is above the endogenous CO-Hb range of 0.4–2.6% in non-smoking pregnant women. There is no information available on the CO-Hb level at which oxygen deficiency occurs in the foetal tissues. As a result, the possibility of prenatal toxicity cannot be excluded even if the MAK value of 50 ml dichloromethane/m3 is observed. Based on thisfinding, classification in Pregnancy Risk Group B has been confirmed. In 2015, the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of 500 μg dichloromethane/l blood was derived in correlation to the MAK value. Pregnancy Risk Group B istherefore also valid forthe BAT value. The possibility of prenatal toxicity cannot be excluded even when adhering to the BAT value of 500 μg dichloromethane/l bloo

Isopropylbenzene – Addendum: evaluation of a pregnancy risk group for the BAT value

In 2012, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of isopropylbenzene (cumene) [98-82-8]. If the MAK value of 10 ml iso-propylbenzene/m3 (50 mg/m3) is observed, no prenatal toxic effects are to be expected. Therefore, Pregnancy Risk Group C was confirmed. In 2013, the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of 10 mg 2-phenyl-2-propanol (after hydrolysis)/g creatinine was derived in correlation to the MAK value. Pregnancy Risk Group C is also similarly valid for the BAT value. In adherence with the BAT value of 10 mg 2-phenyl-2-propanol (after hydrolysis)/g creatinine, no prenatal toxic effects are to be expected

2-Propanol – Addendum: evaluation of a pregnancy risk group for the BAT value

In 2018, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated and confirmed the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of 2-propanol [67-63-0]. If the MAK value of 200 ml 2-propanol/m3 (500 mg/m3) is observed, no prenatal toxic effects are to be expected. Therefore, Pregnancy Risk Group C was likewise confirmed. In 2010, biological tolerance values (BAT values) of 25 mg acetone/l blood and 25 mg acetone/l urine were derived in correlation to the MAK value. Pregnancy Risk Group C is therefore similarly valid for the BAT value. In adherence with the BAT values of 25 mg acetone/l blood and 25 mg acetone/l urine, no prenatal toxic effects are to be expecte

Ethylbenzene – Addendum: evaluation of a pregnancy risk group for the BAT value

In 2011, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated the maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) of ethylbenzene [100-41-4]. If the MAK value of 20 ml ethylbenzene/m3 (88 mg/m3) is observed, no prenatal toxic effects are to be expected. Therefore, ethylbenzene was classified in Pregnancy Risk Group C. In 2015, the biological tolerance value (BAT value) of 250 mg mandelic acid plus phenylglyoxylic acid/g creatinine was derived in correlation to the MAK value. Pregnancy Risk Group C is therefore similarly valid for the BAT value. In adherence with the BAT value of 250 mg mandelic acid plus phenylglyoxylic acid/g creatinine, no prenatal toxic effects are to be expected

To be or not to be an auctioneer: Some thoughts on the legal nature of online eBay auctions and the protection of consumers

This paper discusses the legal classification of online “eBay” auctions. The discussion has key implications on the scope of consumer protection law as sale by auctions are, for example, excluded from the scope of the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000. The paper uncovers that online “eBay” auctions cannot always be considered as traditional auctions and that eBay, as an intermediary, is not to be considered as an auctioneer. This creates difficulties associated with a distributive application of consumer protection laws such as the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000. Another set of difficulties is associated with a lenient legal regime applicable to the liability of eBay under the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 . The paper concludes that there is an urgent need to clarify the legal classification of online auctions and to rethink the liability of online auction sites to better protect consumers