Population-specific exposure risks from parabens and antimicrobials in cosmetics and personal care products: Insights from Korean usage patterns

Abstract

The use of cosmetics and personal care products (CPCPs) is a significant source of human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However, few studies have investigated EDC exposure through CPCP use based on realistic exposure factors of diverse population groups. In this study, 13 parabens and two antimicrobial agents were measured in 261 CPCPs categorized as leave-on, rinse-off, and baby care products. Methylparaben and propylparaben were the most prevalent parabens. Triclocarban was frequently found in rinse-off products, while triclosan was rarely detected, likely due to regulatory measures. Population-specific exposure assessments were conducted using measured EDC concentrations and exposure factors derived from surveys of 1,001 adults, 322 teenagers, and 719 mother-infant pairs in Korea. Dermal exposure doses (DEDs) of parabens were estimated at 11.4, 25.8, 25.1 and 0.03 µg/kg/day for males, females, mothers, and infants, respectively. For antimicrobial agents, DEDs were 0.20, 0.28, and 0.98 µg/kg/day for males, females, and mothers, respectively. Females had higher DEDs of parabens than males in both adults and teenagers, and mothers had higher DEDs of triclocarban. These findings emphasized the need to consider population-specific characteristics in exposure assessments. High-exposure scenarios resulted in DEDs 4–5 times higher than general-exposure scenarios. Skin care products, sunscreens, body and hand lotions were major contributors to paraben exposure, highlighting the need for targeted management to mitigate exposure from these products. This study provides realistic exposure data that can serve as a valuable reference for managing CPCP ingredients, particularly parabens and antimicrobial agents. © 2025 The Author(s)