New alert over suncream allergies

Cosmetics companies are being urged to remove a chemical found in popular suncreams and moisturisers after an epidemic of allergic reactions.

The ingredient has caused a 400 per cent increase in people reporting painful rashes and swelling within the past nine years. It is thought that up to four per cent of the population could now be allergic to the preservative methyldibromo glutaronitrile.

It is used in many products other than suncreams, including gels, moisturisers and shampoos.

European Commission scientists are so concerned they want the chemical removed from leave-on products until a "safe" level is discovered. Dr Ian White, chairman of the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic and Non-Food Products in Brussels, said the rise in adverse reactions was alarming.

"There is an epidemic of contact allergy to this and it has been recommended that the chemical should not be kept in these products until a safe level is known," he said. "The industry was warned a year ago about this but did nothing and did not turn up to meetings about it."

Dr White, a consultant dermatologist at St John's Institute of Dermatology, at St Thomas' Hospital in London, said typical reactions to the chemical were swelling, itching and acute dermatitis which could be very painful.

The committee does not have powers to remove products from sale. But Dr White said it was hoped manufacturers would heed the advice and bring out no new products containing the chemical until research was undertaken. Experts finally took action after an alert from the European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group. Its study of more than 48,000 in-patients across Europe showed the enormity of the problem.

In 1991, only 0.7 per cent of people reacted to the chemical when a dab was put on their skin. But by 2000, this had escalated to 3.5 per cent. Scientists are still not clear why there has been such a sudden growth in reactions to the substance. It could be that the amount used in products has increased, or that people are becoming more sensitive to chemicals as they are exposed to them on a daily basis.

Dr White's committee said the chemical did not pose a threat if used in low levels in wash-off products such as shampoo.

Its report concluded that it should not be used in other products "until appropriate and adequate information is available to suggest a level of the preservative in leave-on products that poses an acceptable risk to the consumer, restricting its use to rinseoff products at the current maximum permitted level of 0.1 per cent."

The chemical has been found in products including Ted Baker Body Balm, and several Boots brands including Walnut Rosemary Lemon handcream, No 7 Pre-Holiday Conditioning Balm, the Soltan suncream ranges, including Kids and Sun Sensitive, and in some hypoallergenic ranges. Boots said it tried to make its products safe. In a statement, the company said: "The safety of our customers is of paramount importance and therefore we continuously review the safety of our products and their constituent ingredients.

"Methyldibromo glutaronitrile is a specifically regulated cosmetic ingredient that is authorised by the European Commission for use in cosmetics. We will continue to review and monitor the situation, working closely with the European Commission."

The Cosmetics, Perfumery and Toiletries Association - the umbrella body for the multi-billion pound cosmetics industry - refused to comment.