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 monobenzyl ether, 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-Hydroxyphenol
- Quinol
Other names for hydroquinone monobenzyl ether:
- 4(Phenylmethoxy) phenol
- Agerite alba
- Benoquin
- Benzoquin
- Benzyl hydroquinone
- Depigman
- Hydroquinone benzyl ether
- Monobenzone
- Monobenzyl hydroquinone
- p-(Benzyloxy) phenol
- p-Hydroxyphenyl benzyl 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
- tert-butyl -1,4-Benzenediol
- 2-tert-butyl-14-dihydroxybenzene
- 2-tert-butylhydroquinone
- t-Butyl hydroquinone
- 2-(1,1-Dimenthylethyl)-1,4-Benzenediol
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Pyrocatechol
- Resorcinol
MC4999-104/Rev 05-2025
