Neurotoxic effect of active ingredients in sunscreen products

Although some UV-related pathologies could be prevented by applying sunscreen, the efficiency and safety of these products is questionable. As the use of sunscreen is continuously increasing worldwide, so do the levels of environmental accumulation and human, and wildlife exposure. Whether concentration resulted from daily use and/or environmental contact possesses a realistic hazard to humans and other organisms is still unknown. Numerous studies raised concerns about the association between exposure to substances commonly found in sunscreens and endocrine and developmental impairments. In this review, the potential neurotoxicity of such substances is presented and the question of cost-benefit is raised regarding large scale use of sunscreen in its current composition. Although most studies reviewed in this paper reported adverse neurotoxic effects of UV filters at concentrations substantially higher that those observed in environment and human tissues, these studies should not be disregarded, as they afford potential pathomechanisms which might occur in other conditions or sensitive populations. It is noteworthy, that gene x environment interactions vis-à-vis toxicity of sunscreen components has yet to be studied. Unfortunately, the effects of repeated, long-term and low-dose exposures to single compounds and mixtures of various UV filters is also poorly studied. More studies are needed to evaluate the realistic hazard of contemporary sunscreens. Furthermore, it is also timely and meritorious to advance studies on alternative, safer and more efficient UV filters.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5615097/

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