Methylisothiazolinone concerns in the media

We are aware of activities within the cosmetic industry to address and respond to the recent MIT coverage.

Comments from dermatologists

Following concerns raised via a press release issued in the days before the British Association of Dermatologists’ Annual Conference, held in July 2013, several high profile newspaper articles were published covering the story. One of the main articles in question was published by the Sunday Telegraph newspaper on 7 July 2013, entitled “Warning over ‘epidemic’ of skin allergies from chemical in cosmetics and household products”.1 The article included quotes from Dr John McFadden, consultant dermatologist at St John’s Institute of Dermatology:2 “We are in the midst of an outbreak of allergy to a preservative which we have not seen before in our lifetime. Many of our patients have suffered acute dermatitis with redness and swelling of the face. I would ask the cosmetics industry not to wait for legislation but to get on and address the problem.” The Sunday Telegraph article included comments from Dr Ian White, also a consultant dermatologist at St John’s Institute of Dermatology. Dr White said: “Bluntly, I think the European Commission has been negligent over this, they have had warning and warning. If it was a food there would have been action.” On Sunday 14 July 2013, The Guardian newspaper published a similar article, entitled “Could my face cream cause dermatitis?”3 The article included comments from Dr Jason Williams, consultant dermatologist and director of the contact dermatitis investigation unit at Salford Royal Foundation NHS Trust. According to the article: “Ten per cent of his clinic patients who have patch tests are shown to have allergies to MIT.”