Alcohols, C12-14

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Environmental exposure 
Exposure could arise in association with production, formulation and industrial use of the substance. There would also be exposure from consumer uses.
The main uses of alcohols are as manufacturing intermediates for consumer products.  Discharge of these products is expected to be primarily to water, through disposal to drain.  
Occupational Exposure: As a rule aliphatic alcohols are manufactured and processed in established chemical complexes in closed installations; these are usually operated at high temperature and pressure. At these sites standard personal protective equipment is routinely applied to prevent direct skin and eye contact. Generally, aliphatic alcohols are of a low volatility and as a rule engineering controls are available preventing the need for respiratory protection.  For non-routine operations involving a break in enclosed systems a higher level of protection is applied. Operations with a potential for significant exposure require a permit to work system and a case-by-case assessment is made for appropriate protective measures. Exposure through the use of products in industry and commerce is mitigated by applying measures aimed to prevent direct skin and eye contact by following the recommendations in the material safety data sheet (MSDS).
Occupational exposure to Alcohols, C12-14 ( Lauryl alcohol and Myristyl alcohol) may occur through oral and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where Alcohols, C12-14 is produced or used (SRC). 
Consumer Exposure: Aliphatic alcohols are formulated in consumer laundry, cleaning and personal care products. Product labels reflect the hazard potential of the chemical ingredients in these products and include first aid instructions in case of non-intentional exposure. 

Additional information

Environmental fate

 

Alcohols, C12-14 is from the category of Long Chain aliphatic Alcoholswithin a carbon chain length range of C6-C22. The substance (C12-14 Alcohols CAS № 80206-82-2) comprises 100% linear; >90% C12 and C14 (C12>14), <10% C16.

 

All of the alcohols would be expected to be stable in respect of abiotic degradation in water. Photo-oxidation in aqueous systems will not be significant.

Hydrolysis is not expected to be an important environmental fate process since this compound lacks functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions. This substance has no hydrolysable structural features and would be expected to be stable in respect of hydrolysis. Alcohols have no hydrolysable groups and are therefore not susceptible to hydrolysis. Oxidation would not be expected under normal environmental conditions.

Bioaccumulation is considered to be low for Alcohols, C12-14 which is from the category of Long Chain aliphatic Alcohols, which are rapidly metabolised in higher organisms.

The estimated Log BCF of Alcohols, C12-14 is 1.677 (BCF = 47.59 L/kg wet-wt).This substance has a limited potential to bioaccumulate (based on log Kow used by BCF estimates: 5.13, and predicted bioconcentration factors, log BCF = 1.677 (EPIWIN/BCF Program).

A 96 hours, hexadecan-1-ol bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for the Brachydanio rerio (new name: Danio rerio) species ranged from 500 to 1000 (Unilever,1996).

These experimental and estimated BCF values suggest that Alcohols, C16-18 has a low potential for bioaccumulation.

Chain lengths C11 and above have log Kow >4.5 and so could be considered to be potentially bioaccumulative.

Two evidences result in the conclusion that Alcohols, C12-14 is not expected to be B/vB:

1. Due to rapid degradation combined with evidence of rapid metabolism in mammalian and fish studies, it is unlikely that bioaccumulation of Alcohols, C12-14 would be demonstrated in studies.

2. The conduct of guideline-standard studies of bioaccumulation in fish would be confounded by the technical difficulties of maintaining the test alcohol in solution according to results of other long-term studies with invertebrates. In these studies, severe difficulties were encountered in conducting the study as biodegradation of the substance in the test system was almost complete within the 24 h test media renewal period.

Therefore, Alcohols, C12-14 is not considered to be bioaccumulative.

If released to soil, Alcohols, C12-14 is expected to have very high mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 2245. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process. 

The C12-14, 14-16 and 16-18 multi-component substances did not exhibit acute effects at loading rates where the solubility of the component alcohols was exceeded.

The results for both the single carbon number alcohols and the multi-component substances indicate that, for fish, there is an acute toxicity cut-off for alcohols with carbon numbers>C14. 

The output parameters from the EPI Suite model support that any potential impacts of this chemical is expected to be very short-lived. This is because it is not likely to persist in water or microbial soils and sediments.

As a result, the environmental fate of Alcohols, C12-14 is not likely to be of concern.

 

 Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

 

Environmental exposure

 

Exposure could arise in association with production, formulation and industrial use of the substance. There would also be exposure from consumer uses.

The main uses of alcohols are as manufacturing intermediates for consumer products. Discharge of these products is expected to be primarily to water, through disposal to drain. 

 

Occupational Exposure: As a rule aliphatic alcohols are manufactured and processed in established chemical complexes in closed installations; these are usually operated at high temperature and pressure. At these sites standard personal protective equipment is routinely applied to prevent direct skin and eye contact. Generally, aliphatic alcohols are of a low volatility and as a rule engineering controls are available preventing the need for respiratory protection. For non-routine operations involving a break in enclosed systems a higher level of protection is applied. Operations with a potential for significant exposure require a permit to work system and a case-by-case assessment is made for appropriate protective measures. Exposure through the use of products in industry and commerce is mitigated by applying measures aimed to prevent direct skin and eye contact by following the recommendations in the material safety data sheet (MSDS).

 Occupational exposure to Alcohols, C12-14 ( Lauryl alcohol and Myristyl alcohol) may occur through oral and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where Alcohols, C12-14 is produced or used (SRC). Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to Alcohols, C12-14 via ingestion of food and kindred product containing Alcohols, C12-14 (SRC).

Consumer Exposure: Aliphatic alcohols are formulated in consumer laundry, cleaning and personal care products. Product labels reflect the hazard potential of the chemical ingredients in these products and include first aid instructions in case of non-intentional exposure.

 

   

 

EFFECTS ON HUMANS

 

 Summary

 

Alcohols, C12-14 or Lauryl alcohol and Myristyl alcohol is a mixture of fatty alcohols, consisting predominantly of LaurylandMyristylalcohols and is classified as a fatty alcohol.

It is used as an emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, and foam boosting surfactant, as well as an aqueous and non aqueous viscosity-increasing agent. It imparts an emollient feel to the skin and can be used in water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, and anhydrous formulations. It is commonly used in hair conditioners and other hair products

 

Aliphatic alcohols in the range C12 – C16 have a low degree of skin irritation potential; alcohols with chain lengths of C18 and above are non-irritant to skin. The eye irritation potential for alcohols with a chain length of C12 and above has been shown to be minimal. 

Based on the available data it is concluded that Alcohols, C12-14 or Lauryl alcohol and Myristyl alcohol are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of use.

Alcohols, C12-14 do not induce skin sensitization in humans, and there is no conclusive evidence that they induce eczema.

No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported following accidental ingestion of Long Chain aliphatic Alcohols.