Methylisothiazolone
Encyclopedia
Methylisothiazolones are chemical compounds used as highly effective biocidal agents against fungal
and bacterial species. They are widely used as a preservative
in cosmetic industry, and as a pesticide
, e.g. in paints and water tanks.
There are known bacterial species which exhibit increased resistance to the compound.
Most common compounds are:
s if applied undiluted.
It is lethal in low doses if absorbed via oral
ingestion
, inhalation
or dermal contact (see references). Known allergen in concentrations as low as 20 ppm, with prevalence
in population between 3% and 8%. Suggested usage rate is .01% for lotions and usage rates.
Maximum permissible dose for use in cosmetics was set to 15 ppm in year 1997. It is approved for use in over 25 countries and has a long history of safety data.
Teratogenic risk: class D in Germany.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
and bacterial species. They are widely used as a preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....
in cosmetic industry, and as a pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
, e.g. in paints and water tanks.
There are known bacterial species which exhibit increased resistance to the compound.
Most common compounds are:
- MCI (methycholoroisothiazolone, 5-Chlor-2-methyl-2,3-dihydroisothiazol-3-on, CAS 26172-55-4)
- MI (methylisothiazolone, 2-Methyl-2,3-dihydroisothiazol-3-on, CAS 2682-20-4).
Toxicity
Methylisothiazolone is highly corrosive and causes burns if used undiluted. Common usage rates in this preservative are .01%. The general public would not come into contact with undiluted MIT. Causes irritation of skin by contact if undiluted, and it is highly destructive of mucous membraneMucous membrane
The mucous membranes are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs...
s if applied undiluted.
It is lethal in low doses if absorbed via oral
Mouth
The mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food andsaliva. The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium lining the inside of the mouth....
ingestion
Ingestion
Ingestion is the consumption of a substance by an organism. In animals, it normally is accomplished by taking in the substance through the mouth into the gastrointestinal tract, such as through eating or drinking...
, inhalation
Inhalation
Inhalation is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli....
or dermal contact (see references). Known allergen in concentrations as low as 20 ppm, with prevalence
Prevalence
In epidemiology, the prevalence of a health-related state in a statistical population is defined as the total number of cases of the risk factor in the population at a given time, or the total number of cases in the population, divided by the number of individuals in the population...
in population between 3% and 8%. Suggested usage rate is .01% for lotions and usage rates.
Maximum permissible dose for use in cosmetics was set to 15 ppm in year 1997. It is approved for use in over 25 countries and has a long history of safety data.
Teratogenic risk: class D in Germany.