Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1.3-diol)

Updated: February 7th, 2010 |

HEALTH CONCERNS
Is this chemical a carcinogen?	No, but it is a formaldehyde releaser.
How can it affect me?	Bronopol is a skin sensitizer–a skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant. Cosmetic preparations contain concentrations of 0.01% to 0.02%. Significant irritant effects are seen when the concentration reaches 1% or greater.While Bronopol is not in itself a nitrosating agent, under conditions where it decomposes (alkaline solution and/or elevated temperatures) it can liberate nitrite and low levels of formaldehyde.These decomposition products can react with any contaminant secondary amines or amides in a personal care formulation to produce significant levels of nitrosamines. Manufacturers of personal care products are therefore instructed by regulatory authorities to ‘avoid the formation of nitrosamines’ which might mean removing amines or amides from the formulation, removing Bronopol from a formulation, or using nitrosamine inhibitors. When conditions are such that Bronopol decomposes in aqueous solution, very low levels of formaldehyde are produced.  Amongst other decomposition products detected after Bronopol breakdown are, bromide ion, nitrite ion, Bromonitroethanol and 2-Hydroxymethyl-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol. The following chemicals can cause nitrosamine contamination, which have been determined to form cancer in laboratory animals. There are wide and repeated concerns in the USA and Europe about the contamination of cosmetics products with nitrosamines: 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol Cocoyl Sarcosine DEA compounds Imidazolidinyl Urea Formaldehyde Hydrolysed Animal Protein Lauryl Sarcosine MEA compounds Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate Bronopol is a formaldehyde releaser; therefore, for those highly allergic to formaldehydes and their releasers, please read our article on Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Releasers.
Are there controversial issues?	No.