Aggregate exposure assessment using cosmetic co-use scenarios: II. Application and validation for phthalates

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Cosmetic Science

Background:

• Aggregate exposure assessments are crucial for understanding chemical risks.
• Traditional single-product assessments may not reflect real-world exposure scenarios.
• Cosmetic product co-use is common and influences overall chemical exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a methodology for aggregate exposure assessment using cosmetic co-use scenarios.
• To estimate aggregate exposure to specific phthalates (DEHP, DnBP, DEP) from cosmetic products.
• To compare co-use scenario-based assessments with receptor-based methods.

Main Methods:

• Co-use scenarios were developed based on frequency and number of cosmetic products used.
• Aggregate exposure assessments were conducted using these co-use scenarios.
• Methodology was validated by comparing results to a receptor-based aggregate exposure assessment.

Main Results:

• Aggregate exposure estimations (AED) increased with the number of cosmetics used in scenarios.
• Exposure levels were generally higher in female and younger demographic groups.
• Major contributing cosmetic products varied by phthalate and gender (e.g., facial cream for DEHP in females, body lotion for DEHP in males).
• Co-use scenario-based AED distributions showed similar trends to receptor-based methods, with slight underestimation at the 95th percentile.

Conclusions:

• Co-use scenarios provide a realistic and resource-efficient method for aggregate exposure assessment of cosmetic ingredients.
• The methodology effectively captures variations in exposure based on usage patterns and demographics.
• This approach aids in prioritizing risk management strategies for cosmetic-related chemical exposures.