Abstract            Volume:12  Issue-12  Year-2024         Original Research Articles

Online ISSN : 2347 - 3215 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcret@gmail.com

Parabens, esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products. Their extensive use has led to the detection of parabens in various environmental and biological samples, with concentrations in human urine as high as 227 ng/mL, particularly in regions like South Korea. Evidence suggests that parabens exhibit estrogenic activity, contributing to endocrine disruption, with adverse effects on reproductive health, early puberty onset, and increased breast cancer risk. Research has found that parabens, particularly propyl- and butylparaben, can interfere with hormone regulation, reduce sperm production, and decrease testosterone levels in animal models. Furthermore, parabens have been detected in breast tissue and are associated with tumor progression in breast cancer cells. Although regulatory bodies, such as the European Union, have established limits (0.4% for a single paraben and 0.8% for combined parabens in cosmetics), there is no globally accepted exposure threshold. The potential cumulative exposure due to their widespread presence highlights the need for clearer safety guidelines and further research on the long-term health impacts of parabens, particularly in vulnerable populations.

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