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A Mouse Ear Model for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Evaluation
Published on: March 24, 2023
Decreasing trends in methyldibromo glutaronitrile contact allergy--following regulatory intervention
Jeanne D Johansen1, Niels Veien, Grete Laurberg
1National Allergy Research Centre, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. jedu@geh.regionh.dk
Background:
The preservative methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) has been banned, first from stay-on, and later from rinse-off cosmetics, in the EU countries because of increasing rates of contact allergy.
Objectives:
To evaluate the frequency of contact allergy to MDBGN among patients patch tested by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group just before and following regulatory decisions.
Patients/Methods:
The data set comprised 19 279 consecutive eczema patients patch tested from 2003-2007 with MDBGN 0.3% in petrolatum (pet.) or, in a minority of patients, with Euxyl K 400 1.5% in pet.
Results:
A significantly decreasing trend in the frequency of positive patch tests to MDBGN was found from 4.6% in 2003 to 2.6% in 2007 (P < 0.001). The decreasing trend was seen for both men and women. A significantly decreasing proportion of cases with a current relevance of contact allergy to MDBGN was also seen from 51.3% in 2003 to 29% in 2007 (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Regulatory interventions have already had a major effect on allergic disease due to MDBGN in Denmark. The same trends are likely to be seen in other EU countries.
Insights
Regulatory bans on methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) significantly reduced contact allergy rates in Denmark. This trend suggests similar positive outcomes are likely across other EU countries following MDBGN restrictions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Toxicology
- Allergology
Background:
- Methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) was widely used as a cosmetic preservative.
- Increasing rates of contact allergy led to regulatory bans on MDBGN in EU cosmetics.
- Bans were implemented sequentially for stay-on and then rinse-off cosmetic products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of regulatory actions on MDBGN contact allergy.
- To evaluate the frequency of MDBGN allergy in patients undergoing patch testing.
- To analyze trends before and after MDBGN was banned.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 19,279 eczema patients patch tested between 2003-2007.
- Patients were tested with MDBGN 0.3% in petrolatum or Euxyl K 400.
- Data collected by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in positive MDBGN patch tests from 4.6% in 2003 to 2.6% in 2007 was observed.
- This declining trend in MDBGN allergy was consistent across genders.
- The proportion of cases with current relevance of MDBGN allergy dropped from 51.3% to 29% during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Regulatory interventions effectively reduced MDBGN-related allergic contact dermatitis in Denmark.
- The observed trends indicate a positive impact of MDBGN bans on public health.
- Similar reductions in MDBGN allergy are anticipated in other European Union countries.
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