Estrogenic Potency of Many Popular Sunscreen and it’s “Non-Active” Components Detected Using the Lumi-Cell™ ER Bioassay

The use of sunscreens has increased during the past decades due to growing concern over sunburn and skin cancer. Recently there has been a growing concern regarding estrogenic potency of these sunscreens and their components. Recent studies on the SPF enhancing components of sunscreens such as 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor, Octyl-Methoxycinnimate, and Benzophenone-3 have shown them to be highly estrogenic in uterine wet weight, cell height, and cell proliferation assays. In other studies participants have shown these compounds to be present in urine and blood plasma and effecting circulating hormone (estradiol and testosterone) levels after topical application. The LUMI-CELL® ER estrogenic cell bioassay system was used for screening evaluation of 10 commercial sunscreen products and 8 lotion components. LUMI-CELL® ER bioassay consists of BG1 cells transfected with an estrogen-responsive luciferase reporter gene plasmid. Methanol extracts of all sunscreens tested positive for estrogenic activity with the exception of 3rd Rock Sunblock. The order of estrogenic potency was: Coppertone Water Babies SPF45 > Banana Boat Kids SPF30 > Banana Boat Baby Magic SPF50 > Banana Boat SPF15 > Coppertone SPF8 > Coppertone SPF30 (Endless Summer) > Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces SPF50+ > Hawaiian Tropic SPF8 > Coppertone SPF15 > 3rd Rock Sunblock SPF20. The methanol extract of Lexorez 200 was the only lotion components exhibiting significant estrogenic potency. Our results indicate that the vast majority of the estrogenic potency remains attributed to the components directly contributing to SPF of the same formulations and/or other lotion components not yet tested. Supported by NIEHS SBIR grant ES10533-03 and Superfund Basic Research Grant ES04699.

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Author Guerry Grune Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs

Contributor Guerry Grune Engineering Graduate and Professional Programs