SODIUM METABISULFITE
Antioxidant; Reducing Agent; PRESERVATIVE
Also listed as
DISULFUROUS ACID, DISODIUM SALT; PYROSULFUROUS ACID, DISODIUM SALT; SODIUM PYROSULFITE; DISODIUM SALT DISULFUROUS ACID; DISODIUM SALT PYROSULFUROUS ACID; DISODIUM DISULPHITE; DISODIUM DISULFITE; DISODIUM METABISULFITE; DISODIUM PYROSULFITE; DISULFUROUS ACID, DISODIUM SALT; SODIUM DISULFITE
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
| Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
 | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
 | Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
| Other strong concerns for this ingredient: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards |
 | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Neurotoxicity, Data gaps, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
|
See products containing SODIUM METABISULFITE | |
About SODIUM METABISULFITE: Sodium Metabisulfite is the inorganic salt.
SODIUM METABISULFITE has reported used in the following product types: hair color and bleaching (511); skin fading/lightener (65); facial moisturizer/treatment (48); anti-aging (38); sunless tanning (34); moisturizer (14); sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (10); body wash/cleanser (9); sunscreen: moisturizer (7); facial cleanser (6)
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Known human immune system toxicant | National Library of Medicine HazMap | |
| Human immune and respiratory toxicant - strong evidence | Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | |
| Human immune system toxicant - moderate evidence | National Library of Medicine HazMap | |
| show more | ||
Occupational hazards
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | European Union - Classification & Labelling | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Possible human immune system toxicant | National Library of Medicine HazMap | |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| Classified as medium human health priority | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| Limited evidence of eye toxicity | products for use around the eyes | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
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Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Classified as irritant | European Union - Classification & Labelling | |
| show more | ||
Neurotoxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6695 | |
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Cancer
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RTECS®- Environmental Mutagenesis 1985 | |
| show more | ||
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses | RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1972 |
Biochemical or cellular level changes
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at moderate doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | RTECS®- Toxicology 1993 | |
| show more | ||
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | 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 product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| 146 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results -> | PubMed |
Miscellaneous
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Occupational hazards related to handling | European Union - Classification & Labelling |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food | |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Food Additive Status |
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | SODIUM METABISULPHITE | •Harmful •Harmful if swallowed •Irritant (eyes, skin, or lungs) •Risk of serious damage to eyes •Contact with acids liberates toxic gas |
| FDA Food Additive Status | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • Food additive: chemical preservative • GRAS (generally recognized as safe) - use in food presumed safe based either on a history of use before 1958 or on published scientific evidence; need not be approved by the FDA prior to use in food; most have not limit for use but must conform to good manufacturing practices; some GRAS substances have quantitative limit for use in foods; by definition under Sec 201(s) of FD&C Act, not food additives • Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required • Not in meats or foods recognized as a source of Vit B1 • etc. • See Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued -182.3766 • Substances generally recognized as safe in foods but limited in standardized foods where the standard provides for its use • Fruit Jellies - refers to part number under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 150 • Food additive: boiler compound • Food additive: food additive for which a petition has been filed and a regulation issued • Food additive: must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices, or sufficient for purpose; or in quantity not greater than required • Boiler water additive - CFR173.310 |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • Asthmagen |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | SODIUM METABISULFITE | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | DISULFUROUS ACID, DISODIUM SALT | •This chemical was deemed a moderate human health priority and was flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected persistence. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | DISULFUROUS ACID, DISODIUM SALT | •The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008. |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | SODIUM METABISULFITE | •Asthma - Reversible bronchoconstriction (narrowing of bronchioles) initiated by the inhalation of irritating or allergenic agents: Yes; •Skin Sensitizer - An agent that can induce an allergic reaction in the skin or lungs: Yes; •TLV (ACGIH) - Threshold limit value (ACGIH): 5 mg/m3; |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • occupationally related - ACGIH TLV (human TWA) |
| RTECS®- "Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices," 5th ed 1991 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rat LD50) |
| RTECS®- Environmental Mutagenesis 1985 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Cytogenetic Analysis (hamster ovr) • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Sister Chromatid Exchange (hamster ovr) |
| RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1972 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • reproductive - Stillbirth (rat TDLo) • reproductive - Weaning or lactation index (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1972 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • metabolic - Weight loss or decreased weight gain (pig TDLo) • kidney or renal system - Changes in bladder weight (pig TDLo) • liver - Changes in liver weight (pig TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1987 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1987 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • mutagenic - Positive mutation assay: Mutation in Micro-organism (Salmonella typhimurium ) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6759 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7608 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6695 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • brain and nervous system - Food intake (animal) (rat LD50) • skin - Hair (rat LD50) • brain and nervous system - Muscle weakness (rat LD50) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6759 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • sense organ - Primary eye irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7608 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Neurotoxicology and Teratology 2005 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • brain and nervous system - Alteration of classical conditioning (rat TDLo) • biochemical - Lipids, including transport (rat TDLo) • brain and nervous system - Other degenerative changes (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Russian Pharmacology and Toxicology (English Translation) 1968 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (mouse LD50) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1973 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rabbit LDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 1993 | SODIUM METABISULFITE | • biochemical - Dehydrogenases (rat TDLo) • kidney or renal system - Other changes (rat TDLo) • biochemical - Phosphatases (rat TDLo) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| European Union - Classification & Labelling | CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP. |
| FDA Food Additive Status | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Food Additive Status List. Downloaded from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/opa-appa.html, Oct 16, 2006. |
| Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics | AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation. |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25 |
| National Library of Medicine HazMap | NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents. |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2005 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2006 |
| RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 | RTECS®- TLV/BEI,2007 |
| RTECS®- "Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices," 5th ed 1991 | RTECS®- "Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices," 5th ed., Cincinnati, OH, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc., 1986 6,1418,1991 |
| RTECS®- Environmental Mutagenesis 1985 | RTECS®- Environmental Mutagenesis. (New York, NY) V.1-9, 1979-87. For publisher information, see EMMUEG. 7,1,1985 |
| RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1972 | RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. (London, UK) V.1-19, 1963-81. For publisher information, see FCTOD7. 10,291,1972 |
| RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1972 | RTECS®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. (London, UK) V.1-19, 1963-81. For publisher information, see FCTOD7. 10,463,1972 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1987 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 179,159,1987 |
| RTECS®- Mutation Research 1987 | RTECS®- Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- -1964 179,159,1987 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6759 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0556759 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7608 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0557608 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6695 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0556695 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6759 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0556759 |
| RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 7608 | RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0557608 |
| RTECS®- Neurotoxicology and Teratology 2005 | RTECS®- Neurotoxicology and Teratology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.9- 1987- 27,47,2005 |
| RTECS®- Russian Pharmacology and Toxicology (English Translation) 1968 | RTECS®- Russian Pharmacology and Toxicology (English Translation). Translation of FATOAO. (Euromed Pub., 33, Woodlands Rd., Surbiton, Surrey, UK) V.30- 1967- 31,120,1968 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1973 | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959- 24,266,1973 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 1993 | RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973- 81,173,1993 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 by Environmental Working Group
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