Last week, the German Environment Agency (UBA) published new data revealing that a problematic chemical, MnHexP, has been found in many urine samples from children and adolescents across Germany. MnHexP (mono-n-hexyl phthalate) is a breakdown product of another phthalate called DnHexP (di-n-hexyl phthalate), which is toxic to reproduction and banned in the EU. This indicates that the children and adolescents were exposed to the banned DnHexP.

The UBA tested 259 urine samples from children and adolescents taken between April and July 2025. The findings, published in mid-February, show that MnHexP was detected in almost all (92%) of the samples. In two samples, the concentration level exceeded the assessment value (HBM-I value), which means that health impacts cannot be ruled out.

The most likely reason for the children and adolescents’ exposure is thought to be sunscreen, specifically, a certain UV filter in sunscreen called DHHB (diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate). During the production of DHHB, DnHexP can form as an impurity.

Product testing by the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office in Karlsruhe in Southern Germany and by German consumer magazine Öko-Test, detected DnHexP in sunscreens containing the UV filter DHHB. But importantly, they also found that not all sunscreens with DHHB were contaminated with the banned phthalate, showing that there are safer alternatives available.

Currently, an amendment to the EU cosmetics regulations is being finalised with the aim of setting, among other things, a maximum level for DnHexP contamination. However, despite the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Commission recommending a maximum level of 1 milligram of DnHexP per kilogram of DHHB, the Commission proposes a value of 10 milligram in the update to the EU cosmetics regulation based on cost arguments. The scrutiny period for the European Parliament and Council will end on 13 April 2026.

CHEM Trust has been advocating for better protections from phthalates and other harmful substances for almost two decades, and believes every effort should be taken to minimise exposure to these hazardous chemicals.

We are constantly exposed to a complex cocktail of chemicals, such as phthalates and other known and suspected harmful chemicals from multiple sources, including air, water, food and consumer products. Current regulations fail to sufficiently protect people and nature from problematic substances, and this combined exposure effect.

Read more about the mixture effect in our report ‘Chemical Cocktails: The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it’.

For more information on how to reduce your risk of exposure to phthalates and other harmful chemicals, check out our webpage.

Read more news.