Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Usage Patterns of Feminine Hygiene Products and Preservative Contents in Feminine Cleansers in the Korean Market

국내 판매중인 여성청결제의 사용실태 및 함유 보존제 분석

  • Kim, Wanseo (Department of Health, Environment & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Youn, Youngin (Young Women's Christian Association) ;
  • Lee, Gowoon (School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Park, Na-Youn (Department of Health, Environment & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Kho, Younglim (Department of Health, Environment & Safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Choi, Kyungho (School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
  • 김완서 (을지대학교 보건환경안전학과) ;
  • 윤영인 (한국 여자기독교 청년회) ;
  • 이고운 (서울대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 박나연 (을지대학교 보건환경안전학과) ;
  • 고영림 (을지대학교 보건환경안전학과) ;
  • 최경호 (서울대학교 보건대학원)
  • Received : 2018.02.06
  • Accepted : 2018.03.12
  • Published : 2018.04.28
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objectives: Preservatives, suspected to be endocrine disrupting chemicals, are widely used in feminine hygiene products for the prevention of deterioration. Information regarding the usage patterns of feminine hygiene products and the concentrations of preservatives in these products is limited. The present study was conducted to investigate the use of feminine cleansers among Korean women and quantify the concentration of preservatives in feminine cleansers. Methods: Approximately 500 women were recruited from the city of Busan in August 2017 and a questionnaire survey was conducted on the use of feminine cleansers. Several major feminine hygiene products (n=69) were identified and selected for analysis of 22 preservatives. Following appropriate preparation, the products were analyzed by HPLC/DAD. Results: Over 70% of the participating women used at least one feminine cleanser. Marital status and parity were associated with the frequency of use. Liquid was most frequently used form of feminine cleanser (66.6%). The greatest proportion of subjects answered that they use it 'one to two times per week' (36.5%). Among the 69 feminine cleansers, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, phenoxyethanol, and methyl paraben were detected at $144-4,428{\mu}g/g$, $195-1,470{\mu}g/g$, $269-4,237{\mu}g/g$, and $625-4,901{\mu}g/g$, respectively. BA was the most frequently detected (46.4%). Conclusions: In the present study, the characteristics of feminine cleanser use among Korean women were investigated. Based on an analysis of preservatives in the feminine hygiene products, one product was determined to exceed the maximum authorized concentration of MeP (0.4%). Our results will help refine exposure and risk assessment for toxic chemicals in feminine cleansers.

Keywords

References

  1. Kim JS, Kim KL. A study on the actual using condition and satisfaction of feminine cleanser. Kor J Aesthet Cosmetol. 2015; 13(2): 267-274.
  2. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Regulations for designation of raw materials for cosmetics. Available: http://www.mfds.go.kr/index.do?mid=686&seq=3009&cmd=v [accessed 4 December 2017].
  3. Korea Health Industry Development Institute. Cosmetics industry analysis report. Available: file:///C:/Users/nayoun/Downloads/2016%20%ED%99%94% EC%9E%A5%ED%92%88%EC%82%B0%EC%97 %85%EB%B6%84%EC%84%9D%EB%B3%B4% EA%B3%A0%EC%84%9C.pdf [accessed 16 January 2018].
  4. Grimley DM, Annang L, Foushee HR, Bruce FC, Kendrick JS. Vaginal douches and other feminine hygiene products: Women’s practices and perceptions of product safety. Matern Child Health J. 2006; 10(3): 303-310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-005-0054-y
  5. Jung SJ, Hwang YS, Choi CM, Park AS, Kim SU, Kim HJ, et al. Examination and quantification of preservatives in cosmetics for children. J Soc Cosmet Sci Kor. 2015; 41(3): 219-227. https://doi.org/10.15230/SCSK.2015.41.3.219
  6. Kim BY, Lee JH, Kim SY, Lee EJ, Choi CR, Kho YL. Determination of Preservatives in Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products. J Environ Health Sci. 2016; 42(1): 53-60.
  7. Gardner KH, Davis MD, Richardson DM, Pittelkow MR. Allergy to the preservative methylchloroisothiazolinone/ methylisothiazolinone. Arch Dermatol. 2010; 146(8): 886-890. https://doi.org/10.1001/archdermatol.2010.114
  8. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Guidelines for the analysis of sterilization and preservative in cosmetics. Available: http://www.mfds.go.kr/index.do?mid=1633&seq=30451&sitecode=5&cmd=v [accessed 22 February 2018].
  9. Suwanrattanadech S, Lertbunnaphong T, Boriboonhirunsarn D. Use of feminine hygiene products in Thai women. Siriraj Med J. 2011; 63: 111-114.
  10. Women's Voices for the Earth. Chem fatale. Available: http://googl/BgIwdu [accessed 24 January 2014].
  11. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Regulations on standards of cosmetic safety. Available: http://www. mfds.go.kr/index.do?mid=686&pageNo=1&cmd=v&seq=13109 [accessed 18 December 2017].
  12. Korea Ministry of Government Legislation. Available: http://www.law.go.kr/법령/화장품법 [accessed 27 February 2018].
  13. Heo DA, Huh EH, Park JY, Moon KW, Lee KY. An Investigation of Ingredients and Hazardous Substances in Some Consumer Products -Focusing on Cleaners and Disinfectants-. J Environ Health Sci. 2015; 41(5): 314-326.
  14. Baranowska I, Wojciechowska I, Solarz N, Krutysza E. Determination of preservatives in cosmetics, cleaning agents and pharmaceuticals using fast liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr Sci. 2014; 52(1): 88-94. https://doi.org/10.1093/chromsci/bms210
  15. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. European cosmetic regulation. Available: http://www.mfds.go.kr/ index.do?mid=1434&pageNo=2&seq=31663&sitecode=1&cmd=v [accessed 18 December 2017].
  16. Baranowska I, Wojciechowska I. The determination of preservatives in cosmetics and environmental waters by HPLC. Pol J Environ Stud. 2013; 22(6): 1609-1625.
  17. Jeong SH, Ok SM, Huh JY, Ko MY, Ahn YW. A Study for Direct Application of Drug on Oral Mucosa. Kor J oral Med. 2010; 35(4): 229-235.