ReviewFragrance material review on β-methylphenethyl alcohol
Introduction
This document provides a comprehensive summary of the human health toxicological data currently available pertaining to the safety evaluation of β-methylphenethyl alcohol (see Fig. 1) when used as a fragrance ingredient. All safety data on β-methylphenethyl alcohol were compiled with due diligence including published and unpublished data. In 2009, a complete literature search was conducted on β-methylphenethyl alcohol. On-line toxicological databases were searched including those from the Chemical Abstract Services [e.g. ToxCenter (which in itself contains 18 databases including Chemical Abstracts)], and the National Library of Medicine [e.g. Medline, Toxnet (which contains 14 databases)] as well as 26 additional sources (e.g. BIOSIS, Embase, RTECS, OSHA, ESIS). In addition, all RIFM sponsored studies and studies from fragrance companies are included in this summary.
The safety data on this material were last reviewed by Opdyke (1975). Data from all relevant references are summarized in this FMR. More details have been provided for unpublished data. The number of animals, sex and strain are always provided unless they are not given in the original report or paper. Papers in which the vehicles and/or the doses are not given were included and noted in this summary because either they demonstrated an adverse effect or there were limited to no data on this fragrance ingredient.
Section snippets
Identification
- 2.1.
Synonyms: Benzeneethanol, α-methyl-; hydratropic alcohol; hydratropyl alcohol; 2-phenyl-1-propanol; 2-phenylpropyl alcohol; 2-phenylpropan-1-ol
- 2.2.
CAS Registry No.: 1123-85-9
- 2.3.
EINECS No.: 214-379-7
- 2.4.
Formula: C9H12O
- 2.5.
Molecular weight: 136.19
- 2.6.
Council of Europe: β-Methylphenethyl alcohol was included by the Council of Europe in the list of substances granted B – information required – 28 days oral study (COE No. 2257) (Council of Europe, 2000)
- 2.7.
FDA (1977): β-Methylphenethyl alcohol was approved by the FDA as a
Physical properties
- 3.1.
Boiling point: 219 °C
- 3.2.
Henry’s Law (calculated): 0.000000383 atm m3/mol @ 25 °C
- 3.3.
Flash point: >200 F; CC
- 3.4.
log Kow (calculated): 1.98
- 3.5.
Specific gravity: 1.003
- 3.6.
Vapor pressure (calculated): 0.02 mm Hg @ 20 °C
- 3.7.
Water solubility (calculated): 5677 mg/l @ 25 °C
- 3.8.
UV spectra not available at RIFM
Usage
β-Methylphenethyl alcohol is a fragrance ingredient used in many compounds. It may be found in fragrances used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos, toilet soaps and other toiletries as well as in non-cosmetic products such as household cleaners and detergents. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet-floral, but rather heavy odor of Lilac-Hyacinth type (Arctander, 1969). The worldwide volume of use for β-methylphenethyl alcohol is in the region of 1–10 metric tons per year (IFRA, 2008
Oral studies
The acute oral LD50 of β-methylphenethyl alcohol in rats was reported to be 2.3 ± 0.4 g/kg. Mortality was 8, 8, 5, 3, 1, and 0 on day 1 at 5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1, and 0.5 g/kg, respectively. At 5 g/kg, one rat died on day 2 and another on day 4. There was no other mortality throughout the 14-day observation period. Clinical signs of toxicity included ataxia, depression, loss of righting reflex, increased respiration, tremors, and twitches (RIFM, 1974a).
Dermal studies
The acute dermal LD50 of β-methylphenethyl alcohol in
Conflict of Interest
Joseph Scognamiglio, Leah Jones, Charlene Letizia, and Anne Marie Api are the employees of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, an independent research institute supported by the manufacturers of fragrances and consumer products containing fragrances.
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