Methyldibromoglutaronitrile

Marketed since 1985, mostly in solid combination with phenoxyethanol (trade name Euxyl K 400®), used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products. Methyldibromoglutaronitrile is characterized by a high sensitizing potential. As a result, its use in personal care products and toiletries was initially limited and finally prohibited by Directive (2007/17/EC) since 2008. In the industrial sector (preservatives in detergents, paints, cooling lubricants, adhesives, special cements, glues, etc. still in common use, but increasingly reduced here too. According to the recommendations of the German Contact Allergy Group (DKG, valid since 1.1.2014) the substance is represented in the standard test series for adults (see epicutaneous test).

Internationally, methyl dibromoglutaronitrile is tested at various concentrations. The current recommendation of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) is 0.5% in Vaseline. At this concentration a relatively high rate of false-positive reactions is accepted. In this respect, the "German Contact Allergy Group" recommends a test concentration of 0.2%. This concentration is not available, but only a 0.3% application form in Vaseline.

The allergologically relevant contact with methyldibromoglutaronil is hardly given today. Since 2008 the substance is no longer approved as preservative in cosmetics and personal care products.

Moreover, questionable products can easily be replaced.

The employment opportunities are not significantly restricted by proven sensitization.

The effects of a professionally acquired sensitisation are to be assessed as low (Dickel H 2015).

1. Aakhus AE et al (2011) Allergy to methyldibromoglutaronitrile/phenoxyethanol (Euxyl k 400): regulatory issues, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and management. Dermatitis 22:127-140.
2. Amaro C et al (2012) Undisclosed methyldibromo glutaronitrile causing allergic contact dermatitis in a NSAID cream. Contact dermatitis 67:173-174.
3. Dickel H (2015) Effects of an occupational contact allergy to methyl dibromoglutaronitrile in occupational and environmental dermatology 63: 154-157
4. Geier J et al (2016) News on the epicutaneous test series of the German Contact Allergy Group. Dermatology at work and in the environment 64: 70-75
5. Javvaji S et al (2010) Patch testing with methyldibromoglutaronitriles in a localized population in the United States. Dermatitis 21:321-326.