Dimethylpolysiloxane (DMPS) is a widespread synthetic silicone polymer, also known by its European food additive code E900. It is a common ingredient in numerous consumer products, ranging from food to cosmetics. Questions about its safety are understandable given its widespread use. Scientific evaluations provide a clear consensus on its status. This information explores the chemical nature of DMPS and the scientific findings on its safety.
Defining Dimethylpolysiloxane and Its Uses
DMPS is a silicon-based organic polymer, often identified as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or dimethicone. Chemically, it consists of a repeating chain of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. This structure gives the polymer highly stable properties, including resistance to heat and a low surface tension.
The primary function of DMPS in consumer and industrial applications is as an antifoaming agent. In the food industry, it is added to cooking oils used in deep-frying to suppress bubbling and excessive foaming when food is introduced. This use increases efficiency and helps protect workers.
DMPS is also found in processed foods like juices, soups, chewing gum, and confectionery, where it acts as an anti-caking agent or an emulsifier. Its versatility extends to personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners, and lotions, where it functions as an emollient, skin conditioning agent, and lubricant.
Regulatory Approval and Safety Assessment
Regulatory bodies worldwide have extensively reviewed Dimethylpolysiloxane and generally consider it safe for its approved uses at current exposure levels. The compound is subject to ongoing observation and re-evaluation to ensure its continued safety as a food additive. For instance, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded there is no safety concern at the reported use levels.
Toxicological studies on DMPS have demonstrated a consistently low level of toxicity. Researchers identified a very high No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) in rat studies, exceeding 1,700 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. Based on these findings, the EFSA established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 17 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day for E900.
This ADI reflects the improved quality and depth of modern toxicological data. Exposure estimates for the general population do not exceed this established ADI, supporting the conclusion of no safety concern. Concerns raised in older studies were determined to be caused by direct physical contact with the substance, not from systemic exposure within the body.
Understanding Absorption and Biological Inertness
The safety of dimethylpolysiloxane is fundamentally linked to its physical and chemical characteristics, specifically its high molecular weight and biological inertness. DMPS is a large polymer, often ranging from approximately 6,800 to 30,000 Daltons. This size is a critical factor in how the body processes the compound.
The high molecular weight prevents the polymer from being absorbed efficiently through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and into the bloodstream following oral consumption. Scientific analysis confirms that absorption of DMPS is poor to nearly non-existent across all routes of exposure, including oral and dermal contact. The vast majority of orally administered DMPS passes through the digestive system completely unchanged and is excreted in the feces.
DMPS is also considered biologically inert, meaning it does not react chemically with human tissues, enzymes, or other biological molecules. Because it is non-reactive and poorly absorbed, it does not accumulate in the body or interfere with normal metabolic processes. This combination of non-absorption and chemical stability is the core scientific reason why DMPS is designated as a safe additive at its current levels of use.