Methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) is a widely used

preservative A preservative is a substance or a chemical that is added to products such as food products, beverages, pharmaceutical drugs, paints, biological samples, cosmetics, wood, and many other products to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or ...

. It is made by reacting

bromine Bromine is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol Br and atomic number 35. It is a volatile red-brown liquid at room temperature that evaporates readily to form a similarly coloured vapour. Its properties are intermediate between th ...

with 2-methyleneglutaronitrile below 30 °C. An allergy to the chemical can be discovered by performing a

patch test A patch test is a diagnostic method used to determine which specific substances cause allergic inflammation of a patient's skin. Patch testing helps identify which substances may be causing a delayed-type allergic reaction in a patient and ...

History and allergy

In the mid-1980s, a maximum concentration of 0.1% in stay-on and rinse-off

cosmetics Cosmetics are substances that are intended for application to the body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance. They are mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either Natural product, natural source ...

was allowed. It was discovered soon afterwards that it caused

allergic contact dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a form of contact dermatitis that is the manifestation of an allergic response caused by contact with a substance; the other type being irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). Although less common than ICD, ACD ...

to people with

eczema Dermatitis is a term used for different types of skin inflammation, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. In cases of short duration, there may be small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may become thickened ...

. It has been in use since the 1990s as a preservative in skin care products such as lotions, wet wipes, shampoo, and liquid soaps. Industrial applications include its use in preserving oils, glues, and medical gels. In 2005, the EU banned its use in stay-on products, and in 2007 banned it in rinse-off products. In 2005–06, methyldibromoglutaronitrile/ phenoxyethanol was the ninth-most-prevalent

allergen An allergen is an otherwise harmless substance that triggers an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals by stimulating an immune response. In technical terms, an allergen is an antigen that is capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivi ...

s (5.8%).Zug KA, Warshaw EM, Fowler JF Jr, Maibach HI, Belsito DL, Pratt MD, Sasseville D, Storrs FJ, Taylor JS, Mathias CG, Deleo VA, Rietschel RL, Marks J. Patch-test results of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group 2005–2006. Dermatitis. 2009 May–Jun;20(3):149-60.

References

{{reflist

External links

Patient information sheet
Preservatives Nitriles Organobromides