Parabens have been getting a bad rap the past few years, at least in part from scare tactic campaigns on the Internet. A single (and controversial) study in 2004 found parabens within 18 of 20 samples of tissue from human breast tumors. Once the study was published, the claim of “parabens cause breast cancer” became widespread. Every website that I have come across that perpetuates this myth references that single study (if they reference anything at all).

Parabens have been used as a preservative since the 1920s. They have been widely accepted and used because of past reports of their effectiveness as preservatives, low cost, and rapid excretion from the body (both human and animal testing). The study by P. Darbre and colleagues was conducted to determine if any of the parabens commonly used in European consumer products could be detected in human breast tissue. This study is the first report of the detection of parabens in human breast tumors. The authors were careful to point out that the results of the study do not show that any of the parabens caused breast cancer in these women. This study is not evidence of cause and effect.

There are several problems with the study, including the possibility that the samples were contaminated because parabens were found in the blank control samples. The authors thought parabens in the hand soap used by technicians or in the detergent used to clean the glassware may have contaminated the laboratory equipment.

For more information, see:

The Ribbon Newsletter, Cornell University

Nation Cancer Institute Fact Sheet

CFSAN/Office of Cosmetics and Colors

Wikipedia

Parabens are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, toiletries, and pharmaceuticals due to their relatively low toxicity profile and a long history of safe use. However, some individuals are allergic to parabens, which can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis. These individuals, which constitute a very tiny percentage of the general population, should not use products containing parabens.