Poly(hexamethylenebiguanide)

Learn about PHMB, its health risks and how to reduce your exposure.

• About PHMB
• Safety of PHMB
• What we're doing to reduce your exposure to PHMB
• What you can do to reduce your exposure to PHMB

About PHMB

Poly(hexamethylenebiguanide), or PHMB, may also be called:

• polihexanide
• polyhexanide
• polyaminopropyl biguanide

PHMB does not occur naturally in the environment. It's found in a wide range of products available to consumers. For example, it's used as an antimicrobial agent or preservative in:

• fabric softeners
• medical devices
• cosmetics, such as:
  • deodorants
  • moisturizers
  • bath products
  • nail care products
  • hair styling products
  • shampoos and conditioners
  • cleansers and make-up removers
• contact lens solutions
• non-prescription drugs
• natural health products
• hand washes, sanitizers and rubs

It may also be used as an antiseptic, sanitizer or deodorizer in:

• textiles
• pet litter
• wet wipes
• air filter treatments
• veterinary products
• recreational water treatment
• preservation of hides and skins
• disinfectant solutions and wet wipes

It may also be found in food if the food preparation surface has been treated with sanitizers and disinfectants that contain PHMB.

Safety of PHMB

Under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemical substances can pose to Canadians and the environment. We have recently completed our final chemical risk assessment for PHMB.

Our final assessment concluded that PHMB is harmful to human health when inhaled or when applied to the skin in high concentrations.

Inhaling products that contain PHMB and create mists, vapours or aerosols may affect lung function. PHMB may be released into the air when used in:

• vacuums
• air filters
• humidifiers
• air diffusers
• cosmetics, like:
  • perfume sprays
  • hair detangler sprays
  • deodorant body mists
• room, furniture or textile sprays

Cosmetics that have high concentrations of PHMB and are applied to the skin, such as body lotion, may also cause inflammation of the skin.

Exposure to PHMB from other sources is not harmful to human health since concentrations are very low and there is little risk of inhalation.

Our assessment has also concluded that PHMB is not harmful to the environment.

What we're doing to reduce your exposure to PHMB

We are taking measures to reduce your exposure to PHMB from cosmetic spray applications and cosmetic products applied to the skin, including body lotion.

To reduce your exposure to PHMB, we are:

• adding PHMB to the List of Toxic Substances
  • this allows Canada to implement preventive or control actions for the life cycle of the substance, from the research and development stage through manufacture, use, storage, transport and disposal or recycling
• applying a significant new activity provision to PHMB
  • this includes monitoring the proposed manufacture or import of any new products available to consumers that contain PHMB and are intended to be diffused or to be released as a spray, vapour, mist or aerosol
• adding PHMB to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
  • this will provide information to manufacturers on the restrictions for using PHMB in certain cosmetics

PHMB is listed for topical use only as a preservative antimicrobial in the Natural Health Product Ingredient Database. When used as a non-medicinal ingredient in natural health products, it should be used at a maximum concentration of 0.1%. It is not permitted in sprayable formulations.

What you can do to reduce your exposure to PHMB

You are advised to:

• read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions
  • labels on cosmetics, natural health products, and non-prescription drugs must list all ingredients and instructions for use
• use over-the-counter products that have a drug identification number (DIN) or natural product number (NPN)
  • these numbers mean the product is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act
• follow the manufacturer's directions to dispose of the product safely
• provide any comments on our risk management approach during the 60-day public comment period

If you're unsure if your product contains PHMB, contact the manufacturer.

If you're exposed to PHMB at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:

• relevant laws
• safe handling and storage practices
• requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Related links

• Use household chemicals safely
• Measuring your exposure to chemicals
• Canada's systems for addressing chemicals
• Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan

For industry and professionals

• Other Polymers Group – information sheet
• Risk assessment of chemical substances