Session: Applications & Implications of Nanomaterials in the Environment:

Benzophenone derivatives are used in product coatings, acrylic adhesives, plastics and personal care products. They are often discharged as pollutants through wastewater discharges and landfill leachates, as well as through residential septic fields and unmanaged cesspits. BP-2 is a known endocrine disrupter and genotoxicant whose adverse effects are exacerbated in the presence of UV light. Hence, sunscreens, such as, oxybenzone/benzophenone-3 (BP-3) are ‘‘emerging contaminants of concern’’ as they have been detected in human urine (97% of the population) and/or are believed to impact coral reefs. The State of Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone (benzophenone-3, BP-3) and octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate). In our research, we have encapsulated photoactives within confined macrocyclic cavity to control their photochemistry and skin penetration. We have investigated host-guest complexation, photochemistry within confined space and skin penetration of macrocyclic bound photoactives.

Kevin Li

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