Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Encyclopedia
Methylchloroisothiazolinone (5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one) is 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....

 with antibacterial and antifungal effects within the group of isothiazolinone
Isothiazolinone
Isothiazolinone is a heterocyclic chemical compound. Derivatives of isothiazolinone are used as biocides, including:* Methylisothiazolinone * Chloromethylisothiazolinone * Benzisothiazolinone * Octylisothiazolinone...

s. It is effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...

, yeast
Yeast
Yeasts are eukaryotic micro-organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with 1,500 species currently described estimated to be only 1% of all fungal species. Most reproduce asexually by mitosis, and many do so by an asymmetric division process called budding...

, and fungi.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone is found in many water-based personal care products and cosmetics. Methylchloroisothiazolinone was first used in cosmetics in the 1970s. It is also used in glue production, detergents, paints, fuels, and other industrial processes. Methylchloroisothiazolinone is known by the registered tradename Kathon CG when used in combination with methylisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone or MIT, sometimes erroneously called methylisothiazoline, is a powerful biocide and preservative within the group of isothiazolinones, used amongst others in shampoos and body care products.-Applications:...

.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone may be used in combination with other preservatives including ethylparaben
Ethylparaben
Ethylparaben is the ethyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Its formula is HO-C6H4-CO-O-CH2CH3. It is a member of the class of compounds known as parabens.It is used as an antifungal preservative...

, benzalkonium chloride
Benzalkonium chloride
Benzalkonium chloride, also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and ADBAC, is a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides of various even-numbered alkyl chain lengths. This product is a nitrogenous cationic surface-acting agent belonging to the quaternary ammonium group...

, or 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol.

Safety

In pure form or in high concentrations, methylchloroisothiazolinone can be a skin and membrane irritant or cause chemical burns. It was largely removed from most cosmetic products except for those with only short duration skin contact such as rinse-offs. Its inclusion in certain forms makes it more acceptable to sensitive users, so it can be found in cosmetic creams and lotions which require skin contact. In the United States, accepted concentrations are 15 ppm in rinse-offs and 8 ppm in other cosmetics.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer
International Agency for Research on Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer is an intergovernmental agency forming part of the World Health Organisation of the United Nations....

(IARC), does not currently list methylchloroisothiazolinone as a known, probable, or possible human carcinogen, nor have in vivo tests found evidence of carcinogenic activity. Methylchloroisothiazolinone is an allergen 2-3% of individuals. A common indication of an allergic reaction is eczematous (rashy) symptoms such as redness and itching on surfaces exposed to the allergen. These symptoms will disappear several weeks after exposure is ceased. Common points of exposure in household items are shampoos, hair conditioners, soaps and pre-moistened toilet/bath wipes.
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