Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate belongs to alkyl paraben preservative with broad-spectrum antibacterial property, widely used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In food field, food-grade material is legal preservative applied in sauces, beverages, canned food and baked products, restraining growth of mould, yeast and gram-negative bacteria to extend shelf life within legal maximum addition limit regulated by food safety codes. Cosmetic-grade raw material is added into lotion, cream, shampoo and facial cleanser to prevent microbial contamination during long-term storage of personal care commodities. Pharmaceutical industry uses it as antiseptic excipient for oral syrups, eye drops and topical ointments, inhibiting miscellaneous bacteria breeding inside liquid and semi-solid preparations without obvious interference to main drug efficacy. Besides, it works as fine chemical intermediate for synthesis of new-type bactericide and organic ester derivatives in chemical factory. All different grades follow respective national quality criterion, and actual additive dosage is strictly controlled to avoid overdosage beyond regulatory limit in end products.
Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate shows low acute toxicity for human body when used within regulated dosage range, but improper high-concentration exposure causes adverse reactions. Partial sensitive crowd appears mild skin itch and erythema after long-term skin contact with cosmetics containing excessive ethyl paraben. High-dose accidental oral intake may trigger transient stomach upset including nausea and stomach distension. Production operators need dustproof mask and protective gloves to avoid repeated powder inhalation which irritates respiratory tract mucosa; eye splash requires continuous clean water flushing more than 15 minutes. Store separately from strong alkaline substance and oxidizing agent to prevent ester hydrolysis and chemical deterioration. Waste residual materials are classified as general organic chemical waste for centralized professional disposal instead of random emission into water environment. Patients with severe allergic constitution shall avoid using finished goods added with this preservative. Legal standard addition amount in food and daily chemicals will not produce cumulative toxic hazard to human health after long-term normal contact and ingestion.
