Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)

Synonyms: Butylhydroxyanisole, tert-Butylhydroxyanisole, tert-Butyl-4-methylphenol

CAS Number: 25013-16-5

SERIOUS
health hazard

MODERATE
health hazard

FEW OR NO
health hazards

0 79

80 89

90 100

Sources of exposure:

personal care

medication

food

Fragrance, pet care

Description:

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic phenolic antioxidant. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics, personal care products, foods, food packaging, and pharmaceuticals. It may also be included as an ingredient in fragrance.

Health concerns:

Cancer

Known or suspected to increase cancer risk in humans.

Reproductive Toxicity

May alter hormone function and harm reproduction.

Genotoxicity

May cause mutations or damage DNA in cells.

Irritant

May cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.

Ecotoxicity

May be toxic to ecosystems and wildlife.

References

HOW MILLION MARKER SCORES CHEMICALS

Million Marker's Ingredient Hazard Scoring uses multiple chemical databases and a science-backed scoring system to compute hazard scores for thousands of chemicals found in consumer products and listed on ingredient labels.

We identified key chemicals based on a database compiling dozens of authoritative sources, screening tools, and QSAR models.

Hazard scores within 11 different health categories (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxicants, developmental toxicants, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, skin/eye/respiratory irritants, and ecotoxicity).

They are weighted based on several factors, including strength of evidence for adverse impacts in humans, severity, and potential contamination.