CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

It was reported that the chemical was of low international concern, but processing sites such as
inindustrial photography, may present local environmental concern based on default modelling.It is
currently considered of low priority for further work.

Virtually all the uses of hydroquinone are industrial. Approximately 25% of the
hydroquinonemanufactured is used as an intermediate for synthesis of antioxidants and antiozonants for
use inrubber. Another 25% is used as an intermediate for chemical conversion to inhibitors used
tostabilize monomers. An additional 33% is used in the photographic industry including black-and-white
photographic film, lithography, and hospital x-ray film. Other uses (11-12%) includechemical conversion
to stabilizers for paints, varnishes, motor oils, and fuels, and for antioxidantsfor industrial fats and oils.
Hydroquinone has been used in water cooling towers as a rust inhibitor.Hydroquinone is considered to
be readily biodegrable and photodegradable.The aquatic toxicity of hydroquinone to fresh water fish,
Daphnia, and algae was between 0.050-0.335 mg/l; the predicted chronic values for these fresh water
taxa were calculated to be < 0.100.The 84 hr LC

50

for the salt water shrimp,

C. septemspinosa

, was selected as the only salt waterspecies for analysis. Based on these data and on the predicted
aquatic toxicity values, the USEPAidentified concern concentrations or predicted no effect concentrations
(PNECs) at 1.0

g/l forfresh water species and 8.0

g/l for salt water species. Alternatively, a PNEC can be derived usingthe assessment factors
recommended in the SIDS Manual. As only acute effect data for fish anddaphnids are available, an
assessment factor of 100-1000 would be appropriate. Due to the largeavailable database, a factor of 100
would be acceptable. Applied to the lowest experimental valueof 0.044 mg/l (fathead minnow), a PNEC
of 0.44

g/l can be derived.The PNECs are compared to the maximum annual estimated water concentrations
based on the1992 TRI release levels and the "what-if scenarios" for manufacturing, processing, and use
siteswhich were considered to be conservative estimates of PECs.All but one of the direct discharge sites
have PECs less than 0.07
P

g/l and, therefore, thePEC/PNEC ratios range from 8.2x10

-5

to 6.8x10

-2

using a PNEC of 1.0

g/l. One direct dischargerhas a predicted surface water concentration of 180

g/l which would indicate a PEC/PNEC ratio of greater than one. However, in investigating site specific
information for this discharger, it becameapparent that the plant PEC/PNEC ratio was significantly less
than 1 as no hydroquinone was

What Is Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone decreases the formation of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it
a brown color.

Hydroquinone topical (for the skin) is used to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, age spots,
melasma (sun damage), or chloasma (darkened skin caused by hormonal changes).

Hydroquinone topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all
your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to hydroquinone or peroxide.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have other medical conditions,
especially:

liver or kidney disease;

asthma or sulfite allergy; or

if you are using any antibiotic medicine.

It is not known whether hydroquinone topical will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine
without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether hydroquinone topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to anyone under 12 years old without medical advice.

Hydroquinone Topical Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Stop using hydroquinone topical and call your doctor at once if you have:

 severe skin redness, burning, or stinging;

 severe skin dryness, cracking, or bleeding;

 blisters or oozing; or

 blue or black discoloration of the skin (especially if you are Hispanic or

African-American).
Common side effects may include:

 mild burning or stinging of treated skin; or

 mild itching, redness, or other irritation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to
FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent. It bleaches the skin, which can be
helpful when treating different forms of hyperpigmentation.

Historically, there’s been some back-and-forth on the safety of hydroquinone.

In 1982, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognized the ingredient
as safe and effective.

Several years later, concerns about safety prompted retailers to pull

hydroquinone from the market. The FDA went on to discover that many of the
products in question contained contaminants like mercury. They established
that these contaminants were behind reports of adverse effects.

Since then, the FDA has confirmed that hydroquinone can be safely sold over
the counter (OTC) in 2 percent concentrations.

Read on to learn more about how it works, who might benefit from use,
products to try, and more.

How does it work?

Hydroquinone bleaches your skin by decreasing the number of melanocytes
present. Melanocytes make melanin, which is what produces your skin tone.

In cases of hyperpigmentation, more melanin is present due to an increase in

melanocyte production. By controlling these melanocytes, your skin will
become more evenly toned over time.

It takes about four weeks on average for the ingredient to take effect. It may
take several months of consistent use before you see full results.

If you don’t see any improvements within three months of OTC use, talk to
your dermatologist. They may be able to recommend a prescription-strength
formula better suited to your needs.

What skin conditions can benefit

from it?
Hydroquinone is used to treat skin conditions related to hyperpigmentation.
This includes:

 acne scars
 age spots

 freckles

 melasma

 post-inflammatory marks from psoriasis and eczema

Although hydroquinone can help fade red or brown spots that have lingered,
it won’t help with active inflammation. For example, the ingredient can help
minimize acne scarring, but it won’t have an effect on redness from active
breakouts.