Hydroquinone
What is it?
Hydroquinone is a chemical used as a primary ingredient in photographic developer, as an antioxidant and stabilizer, as a reducing agent, and in medicine to remove pigmentation from hyperpigmented areas of skin. There are several types of hydroquinone, such as, Hydroquinone Monobenzylether, Methyl Hydroquinone, and Tert-Butylhydroquinone.
How do I avoid it?
Avoiding contact with Hydroquinone requires reading labels, package inserts, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and on occasion, direct communication with the manufacturer.
Uses:
• Depigmenting agent (bleaching creams)
• Acrylic and polyester resin inhibitor
• Varnishes and lacquers
• Antioxidant in animal feed, inedible oils, and fats
• Food additives
• Photographic developer and reducer
• Antioxidant in rubber
• Hair colorant
Occupations at risk to exposure:
• Bacteriostatic agent makers
• Cosmetologists (artificial nails)
• Dental personnel
• Drug makers
• Fur processors
• Motor fuel blenders
• Organic chemical synthesizers
• Paint manufacturer
• Photographic developers for film and paper
• Plastic stabilizer workers
• Rubber and antioxidant workers
• Stone coating workers
• Polystyrene monomer workers
Other names for Hydroquinone:
• 1,4-Benzendil
• 1,4-Dihydroxybenzene
• 4-Hydroxyphenol
• benzene-1,4-diol
• Dihydrozybenzene
• Hydrochinone
• Hydroquinol
• idrochinone
• p-Dihydroxybenzene
• p-Diphenol
• p-Hyroxyphenol
• Quinol
Other names for Hydroquinone Monobenzylether:
• 4(Phenylmethoxy) phenol
• Agerite alba
• Benoquin
• Benzoquin
• Benzyl hydroquinone
• Depigman
• Hydroquinone benzyl ether
• Monobenzone
• Monobenzyl hydroquinone
• p-(Benzyloxy) phenol
• p-Hyroxypehnyl benzl ether
• Pigmex
• HQME
• PBP
Other names for Methyl Hydroquinone:
• MHQ
• 2-methyl benzene-1,4-diol
• 2,5-Dihydroxytoluene
• 2,5-toluenediol
• 2-methyl-1,4-benzenediol
• 2-Methylhydroquinone
• Methyl-p-hydroquinone
• P-toluquinol
• Toluhydroquinone
Other names for tert-butylhydroquinone:
• TBHQ
• 1,4-Benzenediol, 2-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)
• tert-Butyl -1,4-Benzenediol
• 2-tert-Butyl-14-Dihydroxybenzene
• 2-tert-Butylhydroquinone
• t-Butyl Hydropquinone
• 2-tert-Butylhydroquinone
• 2-(1,1-Dimenthylethyl)-1,4-Benzenediol
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
• Pyrocatechol
• Resorcinol
