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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES Learn more About EWG VERIFIED®

Data: Limited

Bht

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

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Other Concerns

Enhanced skin absorption, Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low_moderate), and Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low_moderate)

SYNONYMS

● F0001-0395
● Z955123624
● BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARD
● WLN: 1X1 & 1 & R BQ E1 CX1 & 1 & 1
● 2,6-DI-TERT-BUTYL-4-METHYLPHENOL, PURUM, >=99.0% (GC)
● 2,6-DI-TERT-BUTYL-4-METHYLPHENOL, >=99.0% (GC), POWDER
● BUTYLHYDROXYTOLUENE, EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA (EP) REFERENCE STANDARD
● 2,6-DI-TERT-BUTYL-4-METHYLPHENOL 1000 MICROG/ML IN ACETONITRILE
● 2,6-DI-TERT-BUTYL-4-METHYLPHENOL, TESTED ACCORDING TO PH.EUR.
● 3,5-DI-TERT-4-BUTYLHYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT), ANALYTICAL STANDARD

Unacceptable

Unacceptable: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a toluene-based ingredient used as a preservative in food and personal care products.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW_MODERATE
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
antiperspirant/deodorant469 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)194 products
fragrance for women329 products
fragrance for men189 products
body spray77 products
conditioner159 products
styling gel/lotion42 products
concealer298 products
anti-aging58 products
facial moisturizer/treatment270 products
exfoliant/scrub75 products
around-eye cream58 products
skin fading/lightener11 products
hair styling aid136 products
CC cream9 products
moisturizer308 products
shaving cream (men's)31 products
lip balm248 products
toothpaste52 products
facial powder98 products
bronzer/highlighter111 products
blush107 products
foundation812 products
eye shadow308 products
eye liner347 products
lip gloss487 products
polish remover10 products
facial cleanser102 products
hair treatment/serum174 products
body firming lotion56 products
sunless tanning28 products
hand cream67 products
brow liner170 products
shampoo153 products
mascara181 products
oil controller2 products
body wash/cleanser281 products
body oil68 products
lipstick921 products
detangler6 products
depilatory6 products
hair relaxer3 products
shaving cream71 products
cuticle treatment6 products
bar soap40 products
damaged skin treatment1 products
serums & essences128 products
Oils & Serums19 products
mask69 products
makeup remover14 products
after shave23 products
bubble bath17 products
hair spray65 products
nail polish83 products
lip liner141 products
liquid hand soap140 products
bath oil/salts/soak61 products
Facial Cleansing Water2 products
daily use with SPF112 products
Facial Sun Care6 products
hair-loss treatment30 products
recreational sunscreen44 products
lip balm with SPF17 products
toners/astringents9 products
glitter3 products
lip plumper61 products
makeup primer64 products
Lip Stain1 products
BB cream18 products
other eye makeup3 products
foot moisturizer3 products
Moisturizing Socks1 products
hair color and bleaching63 products
setting powder/spray33 products
beard care11 products
beard oil7 products
hair removal waxes3 products
baby shampoo4 products
baby soap2 products
baby lotion3 products
hand sanitizer6 products
beard cleanser3 products
nail glue42 products
nail treatment8 products
styling mousse/foam9 products
diaper cream1 products
foot odor control1 products
tooth whitening1 products
Dry Shampoo and Hair Powders6 products
eyelash glue3 products
tanning oil2 products
Fragrance Lotion or Cream1 products
Other Hair Care Preparations1 products
Decollete and Neck Creams1 products
muscle/joint soreness1 products
Putties, Puddings & Clays2 products
other men's products2 products
Under Eye Concealers1 products
Exfoliants1 products
Eye Shadow Primers1 products

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more animal studies show developemental effects at high dosesDevelopmental neurobehavioural toxicity of butylated hydroxytoluene in rats(1981-04-01)

Cancer

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high dosesProtein damage from electrophiles and oxidants in lungs of mice chronically exposed to the tumor promoter butylated hydroxytoluene(2011-07-15)
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation resultsNeutrophils are required for 3-methylcholanthrene-initiated, butylated hydroxytoluene-promoted lung carcinogenesis(2011-10-17)
Limited evidence of carcinogenicityPanel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (E 321) as a food additive(2012-01-01)
Not likely to be carcinogenic in humansInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Known human immune toxicant or allergenPanel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (E 321) as a food additive(2012-01-01)
Human skin toxicant or allergen - strong evidencePeer Reviewed Literature
One or more human case studies show significant any or allergenic effectsUS. National Library of Medicine,

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Human respiratory irritant - moderate evidenceThreshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances(2010-01-01)

Multiple, additive exposure sources

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodUS. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada
Classified as medium human health priorityEnvironment Canada

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada
  • Developmental neurobehavioural toxicity of butylated hydroxytoluene in rats(1981-04-01)
  • Protein damage from electrophiles and oxidants in lungs of mice chronically exposed to the tumor promoter butylated hydroxytoluene(2011-07-15)
  • Neutrophils are required for 3-methylcholanthrene-initiated, butylated hydroxytoluene-promoted lung carcinogenesis(2011-10-17)
  • Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (E 321) as a food additive(2012-01-01)
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
  • Peer Reviewed Literature
  • US. National Library of Medicine,
  • Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances(2010-01-01)
  • US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Environment Canada

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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