Is Methylene Glycol safe for use? Is the quantity of formaldehyde it can release when in hair straightening products compliant to the regulatory acceptable levels? Shall it be restricted for use within some time, when it is not nowadays? The question has been raised to the SCCS by Ireland. An opinion is waited for soon.
The text of the request
Methylene glycol (CAS no 463-57-0; EC no 207-339-5) or hydrated formaldehyde, is formed upon dissolution of formaldehyde in water and exists in equilibrium with formaldehyde in aqueous solutions. While restrictions for the use of formaldehyde in cosmetic products exist in Directive 76/768/EEC, Annex III, entry 13 (concerning formaldehyde in nail hardeners) and in Annex VI, entry 5 (concerning formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde used as preservatives), methylene glycol is not explicitly included in these entries.
Ireland sent information on the use of methylene glycol in hair straightening products to the Commission. This use was considered as unsafe due to the release of formaldehyde during normal and foreseeable use conditions of such products. By RAPEX several Member States notified the presence of the same or similar products on their markets.
The Irish Authorities analysed 21 products using the testing method for the determination of free formaldehyde according to Commission Directive 90/207/EEC (5. Determination in the presence of formaldehyde donors), and determined the following formaldehyde contents:
• 7 products had a content < 0.04% of formaldehyde
• 2 products had content from 0.1% to 0.9% of formaldehyde
• 10 products had content from 1.6% to 2.8%
• 2 products …
