ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE - Could the high incidence of breast cancers in Nigerian women be related to 1,4-Dioxane in skin lightening products?

Yetunde M. Olumide, Olusola O. Ayanlowo, Ayesha O. Akinkugbe, Erereoghor Otrofanowei, Sherifat B. Adeniyi, Olawale S. Peters, Omotola O. Olumodeji, Macaulay O. Idumah, Abba O. Gabriel

Abstract

Two monstrous female health-related issues are currently engaging the attention of the global community. These are the chemical skin-lightening issue and the rising female breast cancer issue. Nigeria has the highest prevalence of chemical skin lightening practice with 77.3% of traders in Lagos using such products and one of the highest incidences of breast cancer globally of 50.5 per 100,000 women. 1,4-Dioxane, a possible contaminant in toiletries and cosmetics, is an IARC group 2B carcinogen and a potential breast carcinogen. It is generated when ethylene oxide -a known breast carcinogen is added to other chemicals during manufacturing. The skin lightening procedure is most conducive for optimal per-cutaneous absorption and inhalation of Dioxane. The research question entertained was if there is a link in the increasing prevalence of skin lightening practice and the rising breast cancer burden in Nigeria. One hundred skin lightening products procured from across Lagos, Nigeria had their listed contents scrutinized and entered onto a spreadsheet, then they were analyzed for Dioxane using Scalia’s Solid Phase Extraction gas chromatography procedure. Water (Aqua) 66%, Glycerin 60% and Tocopherol or Vitamin E 41% were found to be the most listed ingredients on the package labels, with Vitamin C 28%, Kojic acid 26%, Citric acid 22% and Carrot oil seen in 20% of products. All the analyzed samples were negative for Dioxane. The study brought to the fore the need to explore other potential breast carcinogens in skin lightening cosmetics and environmental chemicals.

Keywords

Breast cancer; 1,4-Dioxane; skin lightening; carcinogen

Full Text:

PDF

References

Fihlani P (2013). Africa: Where black is not really beautiful. Johannesburg: BBC News. Retrieved from. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-2044479OR

Global Cancer Data: GLOBOCAN 2018 [Internet] 2018 [cited 2021 Nov 4] Available from: uicc.org/news/global-cancer-data-globocan-2018

Azubuike SO, Muirhead C, Hayes L et al. Rising global burden of breast cancer: the case of sub-Saharan Africa (with emphasis on Nigeria) and implications for regional development: a review. World J Surg Onc 16, 63 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12957-018-1345-2

Chemicals in Personal Care Products and Breast Cancer [Internet]. Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. [cited 2021 Nov 4]. Available from: https://www.mbcc.org/Personal Care Products and Breast Cancer 4.11.pdf

1,4-Dioxane - Wikipedia [Internet]. [cited 2021 Nov 3]. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,4-Dioxane

EPA. 1,4-Dioxane (1,4-Diethyleneoxide). EPA has classified 1,4-dioxane as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/1-4-dioxane.pdf

Environmental Working Group (EWG) (2007). EWG Research Shows 22 Percent of All Cosmetics May Be Contaminated With Cancer-Causing Impurity [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 17]. Available from: https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/ewg-research-shows-22-percent-all-cosmetics-may-be-contaminated-cancer

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 1,4-Dioxane in Cosmetics: A Manufacturing Byproduct [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2022 Jan 17]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/potential-contaminants-cosmetics/14-dioxane-cosmetics-manufacturing-byproduct

Kirkok SK, Kibet JK, Kinyanjui TK, & Okanga FI. A review of persistent organic pollutants: Dioxins, furans, and their associated nitrogenated analogues. SN Applied Sciences. 2020 Oct;2(10):1-20.

Carcinogenic 1,4-Dioxane Found in Leading Organic Brand Personal Care Products | Environmental Resource Center [Internet]. [cited 2021 Nov 3]. Available from: https://www.ercweb.com/tips/show/carcinogenic-14-dioxane-found-in-leading-organic-brand-personal-care-products

Kataoka H, Kaji S, & Moai M. Risk Assessment of Passive Smoking Based on Analysis of Hair Nicotine and Cotinine as Exposure Biomarkers by In-Tube Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled On-Line to LC-MS/MS. Molecules. 2021; 26(23):7356. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237356

Cheryl Hogue. EU adds 1,4-dioxane, fragrance chemicals, and chlorinated paraffins to list for regulation. Chemical & Engineering News. July 18, 2021. ISSN 0009-2347 https://cen.acs.org/environment/pollution/EU-adds-14-dioxane-fragrance/99/i26

Government of Canada. 1,4-Dioxane. CAS Registry Number 123-91-1. Date modified: 2010-03-23. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/challenge/batch-7/1-4-dioxane.html

Olumide YM (2016). Body Works/Exfoliation used for total body surface as used for bleaching products. In: Mankon B, editor. The Vanishing Black African Woman: A Compendium of the Global Skin-Lightening Practice. Cameroon: Langaa RPCIG. 168–73.

List of IARC Group 2A carcinogens - wikidoc [Internet]. [cited 2021 Nov 4]. Available from: https://www.wikidoc.org/index.php/List_of_IARC_Group_2A_carcinogens

Scalla S, Testoni F, Frisina G, & Guarneri M (1992). Assay of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetic products by solid-phase extraction and GC-MS. J Soc Cosmet Chem. 43:207–13.

Iftekhar N & Zhitny VP. Overview of skin bleaching history and origins. Dermatology. 2021;237(2):306-8

https://cosmeticobs.com/en/articles/ingredients-50/the-most-precious-ingredient-in-the-cosmetic-industry-water-4061-Accessed July 2022

Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, Marks JG Jr, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW, Gill LJ, & Heldreth B. Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2019 Nov/Dec;38(3_suppl):6S-22S. doi: 10.1177/1091581819883820. PMID: 31840548.

Casale F, Suh S, Yale K, & Mesinkovska NA. Clinical Role of Oral Vitamin C and E Therapy in Skin and Hair Disorders. International Journal of Cosmetics and Dermatology. 2021 Jun 28;1(1):12-20.

https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids Accessed July 2022

Tang SC & Yang JH. Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin. Molecules. 2018 Apr 10;23(4):863. doi: 10.3390/molecules23040863. PMID: 29642579; PMCID: PMC6017965

Egbi OG & Kasia B. Prevalence, determinants and perception of use of skin lightening products among female medical undergraduates in Nigeria. Skin Health and Disease. 2021 Sep;1(3):e46

EC. 2002. European Union risk assessment report: CAS No. 123-91-1: EINECS No. 204-661-8: 1,4-Dioxane. Luxembourg: European Communities, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, European Chemicals Bureau. http://ecb.jrc.it/Documents/Existing- Chemicals/Risk_Assessment/Report/dioxane report 038.pdf. July 09, 2004

Scientific Opinion on the Report of the ICCR Working Group: Considerations on Acceptable Trace Level of 1, 4-Dioxane in Cosmetic Products,’ 15 December 2015, SCCS/1570/15

Organic Consumers Association. “Coming Clean: Campaigning for Organic Integirty in Bodycare Products.” www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm. Viewed March 6, 2009.

Akortha E, Niemogha M, & Edobor O (2012). Mutagenic and Genotoxic Screening of Eight Commonly used Skin Whitening Creams in Nigeria. Bayero J Pure Appl Sci. 5:5–10.

Mahé A, Perret JL, Ly F, Fall F, Rault JP, & Dumont A (2007). The cosmetic use of skin-lightening products during pregnancy in Dakar, Senegal: a common and potentially hazardous practice. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 101:183–7.

Al-Saleh I (2016). Potential health consequences of applying mercury-containing skin-lightening creams during pregnancy and lactation periods. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 219:468–74.

Durosaro AI, Ajiboye SK, & Oniye AO (2012). Perception of skin bleaching among female secondary school students in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. J Educ Pract. 3:40–6.

Atadokpédé F, Adégbidi H, Koudoukpo C, Téclessou J, Aholoukpé C, & Degboé B, et al (2015). Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Skin Bleaching in Secondary School in Bohicon, Benin. J Cosmet Dermatological Sci Appl. 5:1–6.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.57046/JZRU1180

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.