Objectives: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation may cause skin cancer, photo-ageing, erythema, and sunburn. Benzophenone (BP) is commonly used to protect skin from UV radiation. In Korea, sunscreen, sunblock, socalled ‘blemish balm’ (BB) and ‘color correcting’ (CC) creams, and foundation may contain from 0.5 to 5% benzophenone in order to protect skin from UV radiation. The purpose of this study is to understand the levels of benzophenone derivatives in urine among a group of university students and identify the contribution of cosmetics use. Methods: Forty volunteers (20 women and 20 men) were asked about skin type, frequency of use of cosmetics, and recognition of related health effects, etc. in a survey. Subjects were divided into several subgroups and were compared for concentration of benzophenone-1 (BP-1) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3). Their urine was pretreated with enzyme hydrolysis and solid phase extraction. Determinations of BP-1 and BP-3 in the urine were made with LC-MS/MS. Results: Among the study subjects, 82.5% used basic cosmetics at least once per day, and 77.5% used sunscreens at least once per day. The concentrations of BP-1 and BP-3 of the males were 4.36 ng/mL and 9.16 ng/mL, respectively. Those of the females were 3.98 ng/mL and 5.07 ng/mL, respectively. The use of cosmetics was positively related to urinary benzophenone levels. Conclusions: BP-1 and BP-3 were widely detected among the university students. Cosmetic use was identified as a potential source. Implications of such exposure deserve further investigation.
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