Persulfate-containing consumer products in the US market

Abstract

Background: Persulfate compounds are reactive oxidative agents increasingly recognized as contact allergens.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify common consumer products containing persulfate compounds in the US market.

Methods: Five publicly accessible online ingredient repositories and searches of two large online retailers were used to identify persulfate-containing consumer products.

Results: We identified persulfates in 23 hair colouring products, 11 denture cleansers, 8 pool/hot-tub products, 3 paints, and 3 cleaning products.

Conclusions: Clinicians assessing contact dermatitis should be aware of three primary categories of consumer products that contain persulfates: denture cleansers, hair colouring products, and nonchlorine hot-tub and pool shock.

Keywords: allergic contact dermatitis; denture cleanser; hair colouring; hot-tub shock; patch test; persulfate salt; pool treatment; potassium peroxymonosulfatepotassium persulfatesodium persulfate.